Good morning, Bridget Martin, Channel 2 CBS News reporter
August 12, 2007
Early this morning I attended a press conference at the 5th Precinct conducted by Lt. Chris Meloni of their Special Victims Unit. He wanted us to warn the public that there is a serial rapist roaming the Manhattan area. Apparently, the man is concentrating on female college students. Two attacks have occurred in the last couple weeks, one in the expensive Carnegie Hill Complex and last night one actually happened in the Columbia University women's dorm.
His motis operandi (MO) appears to be to lay in wait near the victim's apartment door and use chloroform to subdue them as they unlock and open the door.
The names of the two known victims are not being released. The NYPD is requesting that anyone that has been attacked in this manor, but has hesitated to report the rape, to please contact them. Their names will be held in confidence but the more information the police have, the easier it might be to apprehend this violent and dangerous man before anyone else is hurt.
Meloni's partner, Detective Olivia Benson is warning all female college students to try and be very careful, preferably staying in pairs late at night.
We'll be following this situation closely so stay tuned.
