Man Linked To 4 Rapes In Palm Beach County Since April 2009
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida —
Authorities have released new information and a surveillance video showing a serial rapist who was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” this weekend.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the man is believed to be behind four rape cases reported since April 2009.
Investigators Monday also released surveillance video from April 9, 2009 — the day of the first attack. The video was recorded by a security camera on First Street and Old Dixie Highway in Jupiter. It shows the victim and man smoking a cigarette before walking out of frame. Investigators said the rape happened just seconds after the two walked away from the camera’s view.
“We understand that the video is not perfect and it’s not exceptionally clear, but if someone can take a look at it and maybe recognize the gait in the walk or maybe how this suspect is walking as he approaches the victim,” Sgt. Mark Jolly said.
Jolly said the man attacked his victims in areas where he could have been seen.
The second attack occurred July 24, 2009, in Palm Springs. Investigators said the man forced his way into a woman’s home and raped her.
In the third attack Aug. 7 in West Palm Beach, investigators said the man raped a woman who was sitting on her front porch. During “America’s Most Wanted,” the woman’s daughter recounted how she found her mother laying on the ground in her yard following the attack.
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The fourth attack happened Jan. 16 in Lake Worth at the intersection of Lake Worth Boulevard and Congress Avenue.
Investigators said the man has bitten some of the victims.
“Our fear is that he’ll either strike again or we may have other victims out there that we don’t know about,” Jolly said.
A composite sketch of the man was previously released. He is described as a Hispanic man between 5 foot 4 inches and 5 foot 7 inches tall.
There is a $3,000 reward being offered for information leading to an arrest.
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