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Suspected 'East Coast Rapist' Headed To Court Monday

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP/CBSNewYork) -- The man suspected of terrorizing women with sexual assaults from Connecticut to Virginia to Rhode Island over 12 years is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

On Saturday, Police said DNA confirmed Aaron Thomas, an unemployed truck driver, was the East Coast Rapist, suspected in attacks on at least 17 women.

Thomas tried to hang himself Saturday in his cell and was returned to jail after a brief hospital stay.

New Haven police spokesman Joe Avery said Sunday that the hearing in New Haven Superior Court is still on schedule for Monday.

The East Coast Rapist is wanted for 17 rapes and other attacks in Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia that began in 1997. The cases were linked by DNA.

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