Update on the Serial Rapist

Many of the stories last year about the violent serial rapist had a Lake Worth dateline, and identified the rapes as occurring here. After consulting a map, I see that none of them actually did.

But they were close, and this person is a threat to every woman in the Lake Worth area. He seems to strike just when everybody assumes he's gone away. So extreme caution should be taken.

The last woman he attacked was young and fit, and she fought back. But he strangled her and she lost consciousness. Sheriff's deputies warn women not to go out walking alone. But one woman was attacked when she went out on her front porch to have a cigarette. A Palm Springs woman was inside her home, sleeping with her two-year-old. She had a gun in the home, but it was locked up and she couldn't get to it, a detective told me last year.

They have to catch this guy before he strikes again.

The last victim, a 22-year-old woman who was attacked on Sept. 23 while speed-walking on the south side of 10th Avenue around the Esperanza Apartments (very close to the Lake Worth city line) at 6:30 in the morning describes the rapist as being short, five-foot-five or five-foot-six and "pudgy" with shoulder-length dark hair and a Spanish accent. He was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans when he pursued her and attacked from behind. In their struggle, she bit one of his index fingers. When she woke up, her purse was gone.

This pastel-colored bag was taken from the last victim. Have you seen it?

One of the earlier victims described him as being maybe from Central America, and said he was wearing basketball or soccer shorts. Judging from his height, it's not likely he's a basketball player.

Soccer, soccer, from Central America, short. Had long hair on September 23. Maybe cut it later that day?? Maybe it's grown out now, and is about 8 inches long??

Who is he? Where is he?

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing, but there's been no recent activity.

He's living in our community, or close to it. He's extremely violent, and seems likely to strike again. He must be found before he can. Know anything? Have any information that could possibly help? Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.