Suspected 'Blow Torch Rapist' Arrested In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - A suspected dangerous predator is in custody in a case that stunned Detroiters and people across the country.
Detroit police say they have made an arrest in the so-called blow torch attacks in the city.
The latest attack occurred just before 7 a.m. Wednesday in a blighted neighborhood near Plymouth and Meyers on the city's west side.
A 43-year-old woman told police she was leaving a gas station when a man came behind her and put a gun to her head. The woman said her attacker forced her into a car, ripped off her clothes and began burning her face with a blow torch.
Police said the victim stabbed her attacker in the eye with a screwdriver and was able to get away and call for help.
Along with this week's incident, Craig said the 24-year-old suspect is being looked at in a couple of similar attacks last summer.
"Certainly we're familiar with the two other incidents that occurred in July," Craig told reporters. "It was a tragic situation. Two females ... again, a blow torch was used."
The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was arrested Friday morning during an attempted home invasion on Dexter, along with another person.
Deputy Police Chief Dave LeValle said they've since been able to locate the suspect's vehicle, that matched the description of a car sought in connection with the attempted rape case.
"We've since taken the vehicle into custody,"said Deputy Police Chief Dave LeValle. "Some additional evidence that investigators from (the Detroit police sex crimes unit) gathered leads us to believe that this is the suspect who committed the assault the day prior."
Both the suspected blowtorch attacker and his robbery accomplice are behind bars.
The two women attacked last July were critically hurt, but survived. Wednesday's victim remained hospitalized stable condition on Friday.
