Police link 3 rapes to same suspect

Dayton police say forensic evidence links three rapes reported this year to the same suspect.

The serial rape suspect is not identified, but police on Friday confirmed he is the suspect in three sexual assaults on West Grand Avenue. The suspect is described as a heavyset man who stands about 6 feet tall with medium-dark skin, a medium Afro and a long face. He possibly drives a silver sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry, with a tan interior and a dolphin on the key chain.

According to police, the suspect took two of three women inside an abandoned home at 1957 W. Grand Ave.

The first two cases, reported Jan. 30 and March 24, the women told police they willingly got into the suspect's car. He told them he was taking them to his grandfather's house.

In the January case, the suspect picked up the woman in the block of North Main Street. He took her to a parking pad behind 1951 W. Grand Ave., and sexually assaulted her, according to police.

In the March case, the suspect picked up the victim at East Fourth and Jersey streets. The 28-year-old woman was taken to the vacant home at 1957 W. Grand Ave., and was physically and sexually assaulted, police stated.

A third woman reported April 7 she was abducted while walking in an alley behind 1957 W. Grand Ave. The 25-year-old woman told police she was pulled into the vacant home, where she was physically and sexually assaulted. The suspect also stole the victim's cellphone and $40.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Special Victims Unit at (937) 333-1123.