Police search for suspect believed to be connected to three rape cases

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are searching for a man who they say is connected to three rapes.

The most recent incident happened around 2:45 Friday afternoon in an area that used to be a housing development but is now considered vacant lots.

The 24-year-old victim was walking along West 26th Street when a man pulled up in a car. She got in the vehicle and he raped her.

The victim told police she had left her car at a mechanic's shop on North Tryon Street and was walking to her mother's home when the car pulled up.

Sources say the suspect threatened to shoot her and then drove the woman somewhere nearby and raped her.

The report said the attack left the woman with bruises and scratches. She was taken to the hospital to be examined.

Sources tell Channel 9 Police have identified the suspect and that they have evidence tying the suspect to two other similar attacks.

A neighbor in the area Tabitha said while the suspect is still out there, she will be nervous. Tabitha said she lives around the corner from 26th Street and had not heard about the attack.

Police say they are not discussing what evidence they have in this investigation and the two other cases at this time.

Sources say they do have what they need to tie the suspect to all three cases.

The first step is finding the suspect.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Officer shoots at car that nearly ran him over at airport parking deck
• Military training exercises to take place in 19 counties
• VIDEO: Car smashes into popular south Charlotte store
• Dad detains naked accused child molester at gunpoint at park
• Former NASCAR driver denies he did anything inappropriate in hidden camera case

Cox Media Group