HOUSTON – A rapist who preys on young men at gunpoint has struck five times in the Houston area since mid-September, and police said Monday other possible victims may be too ashamed to come forward.
The rapist typically stalks, robs and sexually assaults his victims, apparently choosing them at random and attacking them near or even inside their homes, police said. The most recent attack was Nov. 30.
The victims have all been men in their late teens.
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"I wish we had a link between the victims, because we might have a better chance of catching him," said Lt. Richard Whitaker of the police department in Baytown. "We don't have any affirmative links at all."
He said some victims may be reluctant to come forward because of their ages and "a pride thing" that makes men more reluctant to acknowledge being the victim of a sex crime.
Investigators believe rape is the motive, even though some victims were robbed. DNA testing is under way in an effort to identify the attacker.
In some cases, the attacker broke into the victim's home.
"I think he just sees one that he prefers, and then he begins to follow them and gather information, finding out where they live and watching their house," Whitaker said.
Victims have described the attacker as a clean-shaven black man, 18 to 21 years old, with a shaved head.
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