Police say a serial rapist is preying on Columbus-area women and that he has assaulted seven of them since June.
The latest rape, Columbus Police said Wednesday, occurred Nov. 2 on the West Side of Columbus.
The University Crime Stoppers Program is offering a reward.
“The award is up to $2,000 for information that leads to the arrest of persons involved,” said Kevin Miles, president of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 614-645-8477.
In each case the rapist has broken into the victim’s residence. In most cases, he stole credit cards or other personal items after assaulting the victims, police say. He often threatens the victims with a knife or gun.
“Be aware of your surroundings, lock your doors and windows,” University Police Lt. Rick Green said. “If you don’t recognize someone in your building, contact the police.”
The victims are all white women ranging from their early 20s to 40s.
The photos show the suspect in a white cap with a Pittsburgh Steelers emblem, Columbus Detective David McKee said.
“We know he is male, possibly white, heavy build, between 5’7 and 5’9, and at least 200 pounds.”
The first incident took place on Drivemere Road in Hilliard at 5:15 a.m. on June 4.
“The second was on Smiley’s Corner at 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 12,” McKee said. The man broke in to the residence and implied that he had a knife.
The third incident happened on Wakeford Street near Olentangy Commons Apartments. At 4:45 a.m. on Oct. 1, the man broke in and at knifepoint he sexually assaulted the victim.
The fourth incident happened at 5 a.m. on Oct. 5 at White Cedar Court near Galloway Road. He broke in and sexually assaulted a 22-year-old. This time, he did not steal anything.
The fifth incident was at 10:45 p.m. on Busch Boulevard, on the North Side of Columbus. On Oct. 23, the female victim came home, walked in her door and went to the bathroom. When she walked out, the man sexually assaulted her at gunpoint. He stole a credit card and used it at an ATM. This time the photo showed him wearing an R+L Carrier’s hat with white writing.
The next assault, on Oct. 24, was the closest to the OSU campus. The rapist entered a King Avenue home on the Northwest Side through an unlocked door and confronted the woman with a gun.
The latest attack on Nov. 2 took place on Marlowe Court on the West Side of Columbus.
This location was only a couple miles from a previous attack, said Amanda Ford, Columbus Division spokesperson.
“He wore a ski mask in this last rape, so he is now taking even greater measures to keep his face covered,” Ford said.
“We don’t get very many serial rapists,” McKee said. “This usually just does not happen.”
Police have linked these assaults based on how the rapist has committed each of his crimes. It is possible the man stalked these women prior to the attack.
“We don’t know for certain, but he watched enough to know where these women go,” McKee said. “Or he could have randomly selected the apartment, broken in, and gotten lucky.”
Because stalking is a possible component of these rapes, students should pay more attention to their surroundings, Green said.
Abby Hooper can be reached at [email protected].
