Police say DNA evidence connects Upstate rapes

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - A DNA analysis has indicated that a series of Upstate rapes were committed by the same man, investigators say.

The assaults happened from 1995 through 2003 in Greenville and Spartanburg counties. There was a lull in the attacks from 1999 to 2002.

Charity Gencarelli, an investigator with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office in the major crime unit, is investigating 16 unsolved rapes over the eight-year period.

She said the DNA match in six of the cases likely means the same person is responsible for the other 10 attacks.

Members of more than a half-dozen law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina met Tuesday to see if more cases could be linked to the DNA evidence.

"Maybe we can match a (pattern), or if you have a case in the future, you can spot the (pattern) sooner, and we can work together," Gencarelli said.

The DNA analysis tells investigators that the man they are looking for is black, Gencarelli said. The man did not allow his victims to see his face or body.

All the victims were between 14 and 57 years old and were asleep at the time of the attacks, which happened between 3 and 6:30 a.m.

The man targeted bottom-floor apartments, condos, town houses and duplexes and entered through windows or sliding glass doors.

"We'll catch him," Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said. "He stopped for two years. Possibly he was in prison. We're working to match this DNA in these crimes to someone who is out there."