Suspected Serial Rapist Charged In Connection With 5 Sexual Assaults
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 21-year-old Detroit man has been charged with kidnapping, armed robbery and rape in connection with the sexual assault of five women.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says Michael Sykes is being charged in two cases -- one that occurred in 2008 and another that occurred in March of this year. He's expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning.
The first incident happened around 2:30 a.m. on March 24, 2008, in an alley at Wisconsin and Cortland. It's alleged that Sykes, then just a teenager, kidnapped, sexually assaulted and robbed two women, ages 25 and 26. He's charged with two counts of kidnapping, six counts of criminal sexual conduct, and two counts of unarmed robbery in connection with this incident.
The second incident happened around 12 a.m. on March 29, 2015 near Fenkell and Schaefer. It's alleged that Sykes kidnapped, sexually and physically assaulted, and robbed three women, ages 19, 20 and 21. He's charged with three counts of kidnapping, nine counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of armed robbery, three counts of felonious assault and felony firearm in connection with this incident.
"I would like to commend the work of the Detroit Police Department, but our work is not done," Worthy said in a statement. "We will continue to investigate any other cases related to this suspect."
After a lengthy manhunt, Sykes was taken into custody Friday night when police stopped a car that was seen leaving the site of a robbery.
Investigators say Sykes was in the back seat, wearing the rape suspect's trademark black zipper mask. Authorities said Sykes also matched the physical description of the serial rapist: a black male, around 5'10" tall with a stocky build and medium complexion.
