CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Police are asking Ramsey Street residents in Fayetteville to come forward immediately with any suspicious activity while investigations continue into an alleged serial rapist targeting women in the area.
"We can't get information for things that happen when we're not there unless people call us and tell us," said Detective Chuck Dew, who said a lot of relevant information is getting reported too late or not at all.
In February, detectives linked three rapes and a 2004 peeping incident in Harnett County to the same suspect. Police are currently investigating whether a fourth rape in the area and two peeping incidents in April are linked to the same man.
Police believe the suspect monitored his victims' routines, acting as a "Peeping Tom" before raping them.
On August 23, 2006, a 23-year-old woman was out jogging on Ramsey Street in the early morning. She was attacked from behind, dragged into a nearby wooded area and raped her.
On February 12, 2007, the suspect broke into the home of a 45-year-old woman in the King's Grant Condominium community. He raped her after gaining entry.
On September 18, 2007, the suspect broke into the home on a 21-year-old woman in the Heather Ridge Apartments community and raped her.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male in his early 20s to 30s, with shaved dark hair, ranging from 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet 3 inches tall with a slightly muscular, athletic build.
Police have not released a sketch of the suspect, but Dew declined to comment on whether a sketch would be released in the future. He said, however, that he is confident that someone will come forward with the information needed to close this case.
"This guy is somebody's brother or somebody's neighbor or somebody's boyfriend... the lightbulb is going to go off in somebody's head," said Dew.
For the time being, police are asking people in the area to be "alert and aware" and quick to report information to police.
Women, in particular, should avoid being alone, lock doors and windows at all times, get to know neighbors and look out for one another.
"We are trying to get women in the area to take safety precautions they don't normally take," Dew said.
If you have any information on this case, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED (1.866.439.2683) or click on "Report a Tip" Your identity can be kept confidential
