Suspect in Dec. 1 sexual assault may be involved in past cases

By Ryan McGeeney

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Lawrence Police Department reported on Monday that the unknown assailant in a Dec. 1 sexual assault of a 19-year-old Lawrence woman may also be a suspect in four other sexual assault cases.

The Dec. 1 incident occurred in a southwest Lawrence apartment near 27th Street and Wakarusa Drive. More than a dozen police officers combed the area in search of physical evidence the following day, looking for clues that may aide in the suspect’s arrest.

The other four cases span a four-year period, beginning July 14, 2004, when a suspect sexually assaulted a female in the southwest area of Lawrence. On Dec. 29, 2004, two females were sexually assaulted in their northwest Lawrence residence by an unknown male. On June 13, 2006, a female was sexually assaulted by an unknown male in her central Lawrence residence, and on March 22, 2008, a fifth female was sexually assaulted in southwest Lawrence by an unknown male.

Police have compiled a general suspect description from all five cases: The suspect is a white male between 25 and 40 years old, ranging in height from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, with a slim build.

Police said the suspect had been armed with a weapon in each attack, but authorities have not described the weapon.

Major Chris Keary with the KU Public Safety Office said that all citizens were advised to make a habit of locking the doors to their homes and cars, and to always be aware of their surroundings.

The Lawrence Police Department is urging anyone with information that may aid in this investigation to call the Lawrence Police Investigations Division at 830-7430 or the Douglas County Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 843-TIPS.

— — Edited by Jennifer Torline

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Advertisement