DNA Could Help Identify Dallas Serial Rapist

Another victim has reported a sexual assault believed to be linked to a string of rapes in South Dallas.

Dallas police said Thursday that the woman was attacked in late July in the 2700 block of Morning Avenue.

A man has attacked nine women in their teens to 40s who were walking between midnight and 6 a.m. Police said he robs and rapes the women at gunpoint.

Dallas police met with the community on Thursday evening to provide updates on the case.

Police said they are using the gang unit and Dallas Area Rapid Transit police, as well as mounted, nonuniformed and undercover officers, to catch the attacker.

Dallas police are hoping DNA evidence collected from the victims could help identify the attacker. Investigators have been able to take DNA samples from six of the victims.

Police have put a rush on the test results.

Investigators had hoped a witness account would help them put together a sketch, but the witness never came forward, a department spokesperson said.

In the meantime, police are hoping the community can provide more information about the attacker.

Officers are saturating the area and pulling over cars that match the description of the vehicle investigators believe the rapist used as a getaway vehicle.

However, community members have been critical of the department's response because police did not issue an alert about attacks until more than two months after the first attacks.

Investigators insist there is a six-week gap in the attacks. Police also say it took time to observe a pattern in the attacks as some victims took time before they were ready to talk with police.

"Sometimes it can take a week," said Deputy Chief Sherrill Scott of the Crimes Against Persons Unit. "Sometimes it can take even longer, so that sometimes hinders our ability to connect some of these together."

Community members say they are doing what they can to be alert. Murriel Webb, director of Braswell Child Development Center, said staff is watching out for parents and each other.

"We know the time that parents are coming and so someone is always close to the door, and when a female leaves the day care center in the morning, someone is standing at the door," Webb said.

Police have described the attacker as a black man around 25 to 30 years in age, between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall, and around 200 pounds. He's been described as wearing shorts and a T-shirt as well as prescription glasses that are oval-shaped and have gold rims. Police said the attacker always covers his face.

NBC 5's Ray Villeda and Omar Villafranca contributed to this report.

Contact Us