FBI seeking info on serial rapist suspected in 2006 attack at Route 1 motel

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The FBI is offering a reward of up to $45,000 for information leading to the capture of a man suspected in numerous sexual assaults around the Washington D.C. area, including one on Richmond Highway in 2006.

The attacks happened between 1998 and 2006, primarily at hotels and motels. There are nine known victims, and six of the attacks are linked by DNA, according to the FBI.

The Richmond Highway attack occurred on Feb. 6, 2006 at the Red Roof Inn at 5975 Richmond Highway (see map). The assailant sexually assaulted a housekeeper at knifepoint in one of the motel’s rooms around 3:40 p.m., according to the FBI. The attack was the last one linked to the suspect, though not by DNA.

“The suspect is someone who knows the routine in hotels and is familiar with how they operate,” Special Agent Erin Sheridan of the FBI’s Washington Field Office said in a press release. “The attacks often occurred during the day, when there were not many guests and the cleaning staff were going in and out of the rooms.”

The case is considered cold and there are no active leads, but a number of items left behind the attacker — including a hat, box cutter and ring — offer some clues. However the most important piece of evidence is the rapist’s DNA, which has been actually been indicted in Washington D.C. That means the suspect can be charged even after the 15-year statute of limitations in the city expires.

The FBI said there’s no reliable image of the suspect, but the Montgomery County Police Department and a private lab worked together to create a composite sketch of the suspect based on his DNA information.

Anyone with information to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be submitted to the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the Metropolitan Police Department by texting 50411.