Accused Rapist-Robber Charged in 12th Attack
David Keith Lewis, accused of being the “automated teller machine rapist” who assaulted 12 San Fernando Valley women and forced them to withdraw money from bank machines, was arraigned Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court on five additional charges.
Lewis, a 26-year-old, part-time gardener, had been ordered last month to stand trial on 65 counts of rape, kidnaping and robbery in connection with incidents in December and January involving 11 women, said Margerte Barreto-Morehouse, deputy district attorney.
After the discovery of a 12th alleged victim, prosecutors added two more counts of robbery and one each of assault, sexual battery and oral copulation.
Police said Lewis, a North Hollywood resident, approached the victims in parking lots of Valley supermarkets and department stores, carrying either a knife or a handgun. Police said that, after driving the women to secluded areas and raping them, Lewis forced them to withdraw money.
Lewis was arrested Feb. 4 after he was allegedly videotaped using a bank card stolen from one of the victims.
Lewis is being held in Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail, Barreto-Morehouse said.
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