Whitebear
Publisher/Editor-in-chief
3
Suspected Serial Rapist Arrested
CHICAGO -- Police in Portage, Ind., said they caught a man just after he raped a woman Tuesday morning, and now they believe the suspect may also be responsible for rapes in Chicago and Lake County, Ind.
James Orlando Washington, 25, was arrested Tuesday after a police officer saw a young woman running from his car, saying Washington had handcuffed and raped her.
Police said Washington's arrest came when Portage police Officer Dennis Bailey decided to check on a suspicious vehicle shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Oak Avenue and County Line Road -- desolate National Lakeshore property.
The offi
cer said a screaming, handcuffed 21-year-old woman exited the vehicle and said she had been raped. The of
ficer said Washington drove off, but he crashed after a short distance and fled on foot. A 45-minute search by Portage, Gary and Porter County police led to Washington's arrest.
Tuesday's victim, a Chicago resident, told police Washington is an acquaintance and she came with him voluntarily but was raped.
Portage police said they also linked Washington to the Jan. 12 rape of a 24-year-old Illinois resident. Police said Washington followed the victim from a Gary strip club to a Denny's restaurant in Portage. There, he abducted her, took her to the same National Lakeshore property in Portage, raped her and then returned her to Denny's, police said.
Police said that in both rapes, the victims were handcuffed and raped while in Washington's vehicle, and a stun gun was displayed but not used. Police said Washington also was armed with a handgun during the Jan. 12 rap
e.<b
r>
In addition to the two rapes, police said he also is a suspect in two other rapes in Hammond and Portage, and he's awaiti
ng trial in Lake County for a rape investigated by Hobart police.
Police said they released Washington's photo to the media in hopes that any other victims will come forward. Officers said they are still investigating past rapes to see if the suspect might be involved in any additional crimes.
Washington is being held on two counts of felony rape and criminal confinement and one count of resisting law enforcement. If convicted, he could face up to 143 years in prison. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday.
Accused rapist pleads not guilty
Cops: Rape suspe
ct caugh
t with victim
Suspect may be serial rapist
Suspected Serial Rapist Arrested
CHICAGO -- Police in Portage, Ind., said they caught a man just after he raped a woman Tuesday morning, and now they believe the suspect may also be responsible for rapes in Chicago and Lake County, Ind.
James Orlando Washington, 25, was arrested Tuesday after a police officer saw a young woman running from his car, saying Washington had handcuffed and raped her.
Police said Washington's arrest came when Portage police Officer Dennis Bailey decided to check on a suspicious vehicle shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Oak Avenue and County Line Road -- desolate National Lakeshore property.
The offi
cer said a screaming, handcuffed 21-year-old woman exited the vehicle and said she had been raped. The of
ficer said Washington drove off, but he crashed after a short distance and fled on foot. A 45-minute search by Portage, Gary and Porter County police led to Washington's arrest.
Tuesday's victim, a Chicago resident, told police Washington is an acquaintance and she came with him voluntarily but was raped.
Portage police said they also linked Washington to the Jan. 12 rape of a 24-year-old Illinois resident. Police said Washington followed the victim from a Gary strip club to a Denny's restaurant in Portage. There, he abducted her, took her to the same National Lakeshore property in Portage, raped her and then returned her to Denny's, police said.
Police said that in both rapes, the victims were handcuffed and raped while in Washington's vehicle, and a stun gun was displayed but not used. Police said Washington also was armed with a handgun during the Jan. 12 rap
e.<b
r>
In addition to the two rapes, police said he also is a suspect in two other rapes in Hammond and Portage, and he's awaiti
ng trial in Lake County for a rape investigated by Hobart police.
Police said they released Washington's photo to the media in hopes that any other victims will come forward. Officers said they are still investigating past rapes to see if the suspect might be involved in any additional crimes.
Washington is being held on two counts of felony rape and criminal confinement and one count of resisting law enforcement. If convicted, he could face up to 143 years in prison. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday.
Accused rapist pleads not guilty
Cops: Rape suspe
ct caugh
t with victim
Suspect may be serial rapist