Rapes in city may be related, police say

By Augie Frost

Published: March 10, 2008

Police are investigating five rapes that have been reported in northwest Oklahoma City since November as possibly related, police Master Sgt. Gary Knight said.

Residents are asked to be alert and to help identify a suspect.

Police are not saying there is a serial rapist, but there is evidence the five incidents may be related.

Specifics about each case, including the names of the victims, were not released because of the nature of the crimes. However, each instance involved a man forcing his way into an apartment with a weapon.

Knight would not say in which apartments the rapes occurred because they said it could impede the investigation.

The first case was reported in November, with the latest during the weekend. In each case, the rapist is described as black male with a thin build.

"That's an inordinately high number of sexual assaults for that neighborhood," Knight said. "We are trying to be proactive about it."

No matter what type of home a person lives in, the door should never be opened to a stranger. Doors and windows should always be locked, even if a resident is at home, Knight said.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 235-7300. Callers can remain anonymous and all callers may be eligible for a cash reward.