Serial Rapist Sought

Police say they have the DNA of a man who sexually assaulted five women in Newhallville in the past three years. But they don’t know his name or his whereabouts.

Lt. Julie Johnson (pictured), who heads the department’s sexual assault unit, gave that report at a press conference Thursday morning at police headquarters.

The announcement came three weeks after the latest alleged assault, which took place in the late evening hours on Jan. 17 near Dixwell and Hazel Street. A woman told police she was sexually assaulted at gunpoint behind a garage by an unknown man.

Police got results last week from a rape kit sent to the state forensic lab. The DNA results linked the same perpetrator to the Jan. 17 rape and four others over the past three years, Johnson announced. Police have a vague description of the person, but they don’t know who he is.

“The suspect has targeted women walking alone,” Johnson said. She warned women to take safety precautions while the suspect remains at large. And asked for the public’s help in tracking down the suspect.

The five assaults have a few elements in common, according to police:

They all took place in the Newhallville neighborhood. They all involved women walking alone in the evening or early morning. In all cases, the victims could not identify the perpetrator. All the cases were rapes. In three cases, the perpetrator used or simulated having a gun during the crime. In two cases, the victim reported seeing a gun; in a third, she reported that a gun was simulated.

The victims ranged in age from a teenager to a 28-year-old.

The first two assaults took place near the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Here’s what happened, according to Johnson:

In the early morning of Dec. 31, 2007, a woman reported being sexually assaulted at gunpoint near the canal trail in the area of Brewster Street and Dixwell Avenue.

On the evening of Feb. 27, 2008, a woman reported being sexually assaulted near the canal trail at 49 Brewster St. by an unknown man who simulated having a gun.

In the early morning of Aug. 20, 2009, a woman reported being sexually assaulted. The woman was found on Butler Street, but the ​“details of this case are still being determined.”

In the late evening of July 11, 2010, a woman reported being assaulted in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Bassett Street by an unknown man.

Police had already linked ​“several” of the incidents before the fifth one took place on Jan. 17, 2011 at Dixwell Avenue and Hazel Street, Johnson said.

Johnson gave the following description of the suspect: ​“light to medium complexion male,” 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall, and about 170 to 200 pounds. In the last assault, he was seen wearing ​“an olive green puffy winter coat, possibly having fur on the hood, and blue jeans.”

Johnson asked members of the public to ​“look at this information and to consider whether they know someone who generally fits the description, may have lived in these areas, or may have been known to spend time in these areas.”

The lieutenant didn’t give a race, ethnicity or age for the suspect. She said she did not want to ​“limit people’s minds as to who it could possibly be.”

Anyone with information in these cases can call police at 203 – 946-6296.

Patrol officers have been handing out flyers in Newhallville seeking information on the suspect and stopping women who are walking alone to inform them of the recent incidents, Johnson said.

Johnson gave the following safety tips for women:

“Do not walk alone or take shortcuts where you would be in a dark or deserted area. You should always try to walk in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people around. If you do have to walk alone at night, be prepared. Have your keys ready to your residence or car. The time it takes to dig into your purse gives someone enough time to catch up to you.

“Keep your eyes open and your ears open. Do not talk on your phone or have headphones in your ears which could distract you. You should walk quickly and confidently.

“Be paranoid and suspicious. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware of your surroundings and notice individuals that may be suspicious. Run if you have to, and scream to be noticed.”