Columbus Serial Rapist
As you may have heard by now, several area police departments are investigating a string of rapes and sexual assaults which have occurred in the Columbus area. Due to similarities in each of the six incidents, the police have determined one suspect is responsible. His victims are either single or home alone. Several were attacked while they slept.
None of the incidents have occurred on campus or in the campus area so there is no need to be alarmed. However, reviewing the information below is a good idea if you live in the affected areas of the assaults, or you know of someone who may benefit from the information. The general safety reminders are good for anyone, anywhere, any time.
Incidents
June 4th at 5:15 a.m. on Drivemere Road in Hilliard : The suspect put a pillowcase over the head of a 22-year-old woman and raped her. He apparently broke in through a back door and used handcuffs and a knife.
September 12th at 5:30 a.m. on Smiley's Corner on Columbus ' Northwest Side: The suspect probably entered through a downstairs window, tying up a 46-year-old woman, after putting a pillowcase over her head. He fondled and kissed her buttocks. The victim stated the suspect may have had a gun.
October 1st between 4:45 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Wakeford Street , also on the Northwest Side of Columbus: The suspect forced oral sex on a 23-year-old woman, tying her hands behind her back and using a knife. He took her cell phone and credit cards.
October 5th at 5:00 a.m. on White Cedar Court on Columbus ' Far West Side: The suspect entered through a sliding glass door and forced oral sex on a 22-year-old woman who was sleeping. When she woke up screaming and flipped on a light, he fled. The victim did not know if the man had a weapon.
October 23rd (last Thursday) at 11:00 p.m. on Busch Boulevard on the North Side: A 21-year-old woman had just taken her infant into her home in a baby carrier. The suspect followed her in, showed a handgun and used an electrical cord to tie the woman's hands behind her back. He sexually assaulted the woman.
October 24th (last Friday) at 9:20 pm . on King Avenue on the Northwest Side: The suspect entered through an unlocked back door, showed a handgun and struck a 30-year-old woman when she struggled. He tied her hands behind her back with yarn, sexually assaulted her and took her ATM card.
Suspect Description
The suspect appears to be stocky, Caucasian male, 5'6" - 5'9" tall, and in his late-30's or early-40's. On one occasion, he was wearing a white baseball cap. Another time, he was wearing a black baseball cap with the words R+L Carrier on the front and the words NASCAR17 on one side and L Racing on the other side. The writing on the cap is in white. The suspect was also wearing a dark bandana over his face.
The only photographs of the suspect are from ATM machines he used after leaving the victims' homes. Please review the following photographs:
General Safety Reminders
Always lock your doors and windows. Do not prop exterior doors to residence halls.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
When possible, travel as a group. There's safety in numbers.
Avoid walking in isolated areas.
Do not load yourself down with bags or packages which may restrict your ability to defend yourself or slow your ability to run.
Keep your cell phone nearby and ready to summon emergency help, if necessary.
Carry mace or pepper spray. Be familiar with how to operate it before you need to use it.
Do not walk with headphones in both ears. Again, be aware of your surroundings..
Change up your daily routine. The police believe the suspect had been watching the victims before committing the assaults.
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts.
Utilize the Security Department's escort service. We will escort you to/from locations on campus, 24/7. Call us at (614) 823-1222 .
Attend free self-defense classes offered on campus.
If you are attacked, yell, scream and fight back. Statistics show any form of determined resistance helps break off an attack 60 percent of the time. Most attackers don't expect resistance.
If you are assaulted, find a safe environment and call 911. Do not shower, wash your hands, or change clothes. Preserve any evidence you may have.
Anyone with information regarding these assaults should immediately contact the Security Department at (614) 823-1222 , the Columbus Police Department at (614) 645-2437 , or Crime Stoppers at (614) 645-TIPS (8477).
Information in this email was obtained from The Columbus Dispatch, NBC-4, CBS-10, and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.
None of the incidents have occurred on campus or in the campus area so there is no need to be alarmed. However, reviewing the information below is a good idea if you live in the affected areas of the assaults, or you know of someone who may benefit from the information. The general safety reminders are good for anyone, anywhere, any time.
Incidents
June 4th at 5:15 a.m. on Drivemere Road in Hilliard : The suspect put a pillowcase over the head of a 22-year-old woman and raped her. He apparently broke in through a back door and used handcuffs and a knife.
September 12th at 5:30 a.m. on Smiley's Corner on Columbus ' Northwest Side: The suspect probably entered through a downstairs window, tying up a 46-year-old woman, after putting a pillowcase over her head. He fondled and kissed her buttocks. The victim stated the suspect may have had a gun.
October 1st between 4:45 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Wakeford Street , also on the Northwest Side of Columbus: The suspect forced oral sex on a 23-year-old woman, tying her hands behind her back and using a knife. He took her cell phone and credit cards.
October 5th at 5:00 a.m. on White Cedar Court on Columbus ' Far West Side: The suspect entered through a sliding glass door and forced oral sex on a 22-year-old woman who was sleeping. When she woke up screaming and flipped on a light, he fled. The victim did not know if the man had a weapon.
October 23rd (last Thursday) at 11:00 p.m. on Busch Boulevard on the North Side: A 21-year-old woman had just taken her infant into her home in a baby carrier. The suspect followed her in, showed a handgun and used an electrical cord to tie the woman's hands behind her back. He sexually assaulted the woman.
October 24th (last Friday) at 9:20 pm . on King Avenue on the Northwest Side: The suspect entered through an unlocked back door, showed a handgun and struck a 30-year-old woman when she struggled. He tied her hands behind her back with yarn, sexually assaulted her and took her ATM card.
Suspect Description
The suspect appears to be stocky, Caucasian male, 5'6" - 5'9" tall, and in his late-30's or early-40's. On one occasion, he was wearing a white baseball cap. Another time, he was wearing a black baseball cap with the words R+L Carrier on the front and the words NASCAR17 on one side and L Racing on the other side. The writing on the cap is in white. The suspect was also wearing a dark bandana over his face.
The only photographs of the suspect are from ATM machines he used after leaving the victims' homes. Please review the following photographs:
General Safety Reminders
Always lock your doors and windows. Do not prop exterior doors to residence halls.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
When possible, travel as a group. There's safety in numbers.
Avoid walking in isolated areas.
Do not load yourself down with bags or packages which may restrict your ability to defend yourself or slow your ability to run.
Keep your cell phone nearby and ready to summon emergency help, if necessary.
Carry mace or pepper spray. Be familiar with how to operate it before you need to use it.
Do not walk with headphones in both ears. Again, be aware of your surroundings..
Change up your daily routine. The police believe the suspect had been watching the victims before committing the assaults.
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts.
Utilize the Security Department's escort service. We will escort you to/from locations on campus, 24/7. Call us at (614) 823-1222 .
Attend free self-defense classes offered on campus.
If you are attacked, yell, scream and fight back. Statistics show any form of determined resistance helps break off an attack 60 percent of the time. Most attackers don't expect resistance.
If you are assaulted, find a safe environment and call 911. Do not shower, wash your hands, or change clothes. Preserve any evidence you may have.
Anyone with information regarding these assaults should immediately contact the Security Department at (614) 823-1222 , the Columbus Police Department at (614) 645-2437 , or Crime Stoppers at (614) 645-TIPS (8477).
Information in this email was obtained from The Columbus Dispatch, NBC-4, CBS-10, and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.