Rape Suspect May Figure in Other Cases

Authorities are investigating whether a man arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting two cleaning women in Orange may be connected to attacks on six other women in Orange County.

James D. Shipp, 33, of Orange was being held without bail in the Orange County Jail, Orange Police Sgt. David Hill said.

Hill said Shipp may be linked to assaults in Irvine, Santa Ana and Tustin, two Anaheim attacks and the November rape of a 45-year-old woman in the 1900 block of Meats Avenue in Orange.

Shipp is being held in connection with the rape of a cleaning woman at a home in the 1000 block of Chalynn Avenue on May 4, and he is a suspect in the attempted rape of another woman on May 13 as she was cleaning windows at a business, Hill said. Both attacks occurred about 9 a.m. and about two miles from Shipp’s home.

Because the attacks happened within a nine-day period, detectives began to review other reported attacks elsewhere in the county. Hill said Shipp matches the description provided by other assault victims of a 6-foot-3 man with a muscular 235-pound build who used physical force, not a weapon.

Hill said the district attorney’s office is investigating the other attacks, and additional charges could be filed against Shipp at his arraignment, scheduled for June 1.

Police urge anyone with information about other cases to call (714) 744-7338.