Serial rapist stalks community

A SERIAL rapist, suspected of sneaking into homes and assaulting at least eight victims, the youngest just seven-years-old, has been stalking neighbourhoods close to where another serial rapist preyed on women and girls for more than a year, authorities said.

Miami-Dade County police officials yesterday said they had made no arrests in the latest attacks, and they asked for tips from the community.

DNA testing has connected a single attacker to the November 28 rapes of two girls, ages seven and eight, as well as three other rapes, police said.

Authorities said the rapist sneaks into homes through unlocked doors or open windows, typically armed and with his face covered. Most of the attacks took place in the Liberty City neighbourhood northwest of downtown Miami, a few miles from where the other serial rapist struck.

Authorities are publicly urging Miami residents to call police with any information about the latest rapes, spokesman for Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle said.