San Diego
Police are warning women not to walk alone in the early morning hours in East San Diego because a rotund man dubbed the “Beer Belly Rapist” is suspected of committing a series of assaults in that area.
Over the past two months, two rapes and three attempted rapes were reported within a 45-square-block area in East San Diego between 3 and 5:30 a.m., police spokesman Dave Cohen said.
He said the first incident occurred at 2:50 a.m. Aug. 27 in the 4100 block of 33rd Street, when a woman walking down the street was attacked but escaped. A rape occurred at 5:15 a.m. Sept. 5 in the 4100 block of 35th Street.
A third incident, he said, happened at 5:35 a.m. Oct. 8 in the 3600 block of University Avenue when the victim again got away. The next attack occurred Oct. 12 in the 4000 block of Central Avenue when the victim struggled free and ran, Cohen said.
The second rape was at 3:50 a.m. Oct. 24 in the 4200 block of Copeland Place, Cohen said.
The rapist was described by all of the victims as white, about 5-foot-10, in his 40s, with a big beer belly. The assailant, who was masked, displayed a handgun.
Police are asking that anyone who has information about these crimes call Crime Stoppers at 235-TIPS.
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