Irvine : Man Held in Rape Case; $1 Million in Bail Set
Police are investigating whether a Costa Mesa man arrested Wednesday morning in Irvine in the rape of a Northwood Village woman may be linked with dozens of burglaries and two bludgeonings in the area.
Abdur Rahim Kelly, 31, charged with raping a 25-year-old woman in her home and then running off with her purse, is being held in Orange County Jail on $1-million bail.
As officers took a police report at 12:35 a.m. at the victim’s residence, members of a police task force patrolling the housing development saw Kelly and chased him. Police said Kelly fit the description given by the victim.
There have been about 50 burglaries of homes and apartments in the area, and two women were beaten in their homes in June. The crimes have rocked the neighborhood in the last two months and prompted police to increase patrols.
“We’re looking into the possibility that he (Kelly) may be involved in the other crimes,” Police Lt. Al Muir said, “but there’s nothing definite. It would be premature to say he’s involved with anything else.”
Kelly’s bail was set so high, Police Lt. Mike White said, because the department “would rather have him in custody than not in custody at this time.”
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
