Ocala-Gainesville Serial Rapist

CrimePAY$    $5,000 Rapist Reward       TipLine 1-888-755-TIPS (8477)

OCALA, FL — Another woman has come forward saying she was raped by the man wanted for four other reported rapes in the Ocala area.

Investigators said all five attacks happened in Ocala and Gainesville over the last couple of months, and they believe the serial rapist is still on the run nearby.

There is now a task force dedicated to trying to catch this suspect. Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are teaming up with the Ocala Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Gainesville Police Department.

“We’re always worried that it’s going to get more violent, and that’s why we’re trying to get that one piece of information that we feel somebody out there might know this man,” said Sgt. Jerry Bevan from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. “If we can get that one lead from somebody hopefully we can put him in jail before it happens again.”

A total of $5,000 in reward money has been offered for information leading to an arrest: $1,000 from Crime Stoppers, and another $4,000 from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

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Suspect description

White male in his 40s

About 6′ tall, 200—250 lbs.

Reddish-blond hair in military-style buzz cut, freckles

Possible reddish-blond facial hair in a goatee

Tattoos

On the neck: Some sort of writing

On the left forearm: Possibly an eagle and rebel flag, possibly patriotic or military in nature

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Detectives said they believe the attacks began July 5, 2011 in Gainesville. The most recent attacks were reported in Ocala on September 19 and October 12.

Detectives said the fifth victim said she was raped in late July or early August, but she did not come forward until last week when detectives first announced they think the cases are connected.

Investigators said the suspect drove one of two vehicles in the five different attacks: A dark green, 1991—95 model Chrysler or Dodge van, and a black Dodge Dakota pickup with a topper on the back.

Detectives said he has been asking his victims if they want a ride. They willingly get in, and then he takes them to remote areas to attack them.

The victims also reported seeing either children’s toys or a toddler’s car seat inside their attacker’s vehicle.

Detectives would not say whether these victims are prostitutes, but they are warning all women in the area to be careful.

“I would still be concerned with anyone walking alone, said Bevan. “We don’t know what he is going to do next. That’s the problem. We know what he’s done in the past, but we just don’t know what he might do next week if he doesn’t find anyone that willingly gets in his car. He may drive up to someone and just grab them off the road.

Detectives said they have some leads, but they’re really hoping someone in the community will recognize the suspect and give investigators the tip they need to get him off the street.

Women working and strolling around Ocala’s Downtown Square Thursday said that can’t happen soon enough.

“It’s kind of scary because it’s like how many weeks has it gone on now,” said Christina Baker who works downtown. “How many cases, it’s like why can’t we find this guy?”

FDLE is running some lab tests on evidence left behind in these attacks.

They said it could take several weeks to get those results.

CrimePAY$     $5,000 Rapist Reward              TipLine 1-888-755-TIPS (8477)

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 at 9:02 am and is filed under $5,000+, Florida, Wanted Fugitives. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.