Feds Hope Times Square Billboard Leads To Capture Of 'East Coast Rapist'
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- Federal authorities are hoping a prominent digital billboard in Times Square will lead to the capture of an accused rapist, who has victimized women on the East Coast.
The FBI is on the hunt for a man dubbed the "East Coast Rapist." They said his 12 victims, who have ranged in age from 14 to 45, were threatened with guns, knives and broken bottles, reports CBS 2's Tony Aiello.
Authorities said they are hoping someone will recognize the sketch soon and provide information that will lead to the suspect's capture.
The rapist has struck south of New York -- in Virginia and Maryland -- as well as north of the area in New Haven, Conn., and Rhode Island. Officials also said it was very possible the suspect may have traveled through New York or New Jersey.
Investigator John Kelly said the most recent attack was particularly heinous. In October of 2009, three teenage girls in Virginia were forced into the woods at gunpoint and assaulted.
In 2007, authorities said the suspect raped a woman at a New Haven apartment complex as her 11-month-old slept in the next room.
Police described the suspect as a black male in his late 30s or early 40s and about 6 feet tall. Victims have told authorities the suspect has a deep voice, smokes, is right handed and may once have had a badly chipped tooth.
Given his pattern, police fear the rapist may strike again soon. The billboards on East Coast highways and in New York City now serve as a timely warning.
