The Region - News from March 26, 1987

A convicted rapist recently released from prison was back in custody after he allegedly raped an Altadena woman and forced her at gunpoint to drive toward her bank to withdraw money, authorities said. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Carl Deeley said Wayne Phifer, 27, of Altadena, allegedly raped the 64-year-old woman after forcing his way into her house. He then allegedly ransacked the premises, found a .22-caliber pistol, and told the woman to drive him to her bank, Deeley said. The woman was driving toward her bank in Burbank when Phifer fell asleep in the car. “The suspect had apparently consumed a large amount of alcohol,” Deeley said. The woman drove to Lockheed-California Co., where a security guard summoned Burbank police, who arrested Phifer. He was jailed in lieu of $40,000 bail. Phifer was released from prison in January after serving two years for the 1984 rape of another Altadena woman, Deeley said.