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Police hunt for serial 'Lovers' Lane Rapist'

Thursday, June 28, 2007

(Prospect Park-WABC, June 28, 2007) (WABC) -- A rapist is on the loose in New York City parks. And his latest attack was just two weeks ago.

Police are now looking for a man they believe is responsible for five rapes in three different parks in the past four years. They say the pattern is the same: the man targets couples in city parks, and then, saying he has gun or a knife, attacks the woman.

Eyewitness News reporter Nina Pineda has more.

The suspect stalks couples who are looking for a little private time, police say. He watches first, spying on them having intimate trysts inside public parks. The man is suspected in as many as five rapes since 2003. Police believe he waits until the amorous couples separate, follows the woman and then threatens her with harm or exposure.

"They're...leaving the park by themselves, and he intimidates them, says there may be pictures that he would make public," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

A recent rape in Prospect Park on June 15 linked the suspect to three similar unsolved sexual attacks.

The man was described in a summertime rape on June 23, 2003 in Baisley Park. An 18-year-old was followed and raped at knifepoint. A month later, on August 4 in Roy Wilkins Park, the suspect attempted to rape another woman. She says the man claimed he had a gun after observing her with her lover.

"My husband and I and friends, we're here like two three times per week," resident Lucy Black said. "I haven't seen anything, but hearing that this morning, I'm looking out."

Police say the suspect struck again a few weeks ago on June 11 in Roy Wilkins Park, and this time the victim was just 15 years old. She, too, was observed with a male and then stalked, threatened and raped.

The latest incident happened four days later in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Police say a couple was watched and stalked by the suspect. They say he then raped a 34-year-old woman after scaring off her lover. Police believe he is now carrying a gun.

Police are hoping the public will help them catch the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. They also advise people to avoid parks during off-hours, when there aren't many people around.

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