Man Convicted in Attacks on 6 Women

A 38-year-old Lancaster construction worker was convicted Monday of sexually assaulting six women.

Glenn Bernard Hilke picked up women and then brutalized them, Deputy Dist. Atty. John Portillo said.

Hilke was apprehended after one of the women--who had been kidnapped and taken to the desert--broke free, fled naked to a nearby house and called police.

Hilke was convicted of sodomy, kidnapping, robbery and sexual assault, Portillo said. He was convicted on 10 counts.

Five of the victims were prostitutes and a sixth had accepted a ride from Hilke. He was acquitted on counts involving a seventh woman, an ex-girlfriend.

Hilke faces a maximum sentence of multiple life terms.

The Lancaster jury deliberated 1 1/2 days after a 3 1/2-week trial before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Carol Koppel.

Portillo said the prostitutes agreed to testify without receiving immunity.

“It took some amount of courage to come forward and go through what they went through, knowing they would be attacked [during the trial] because they’re prostitutes,” Portillo said.

Defense attorney Morton Borenstein alleged that his client had been framed.

“[The victims] all knew each other and . . . fabricated their stories,” Borenstein said. “Their testimony was inconsistent. . . . There was no DNA evidence.”

Borenstein said he will appeal.

Hilke’s sentencing in Lancaster Superior Court is scheduled for Jan. 23.