Apr 29, 2009 8:26 pm US/Eastern
Cops: Serial Rapist In Custody 19 Years Later
He's Linked By DNA To 8 Rapes & May Be Tied To 10 Others
Wife Says He Is A "Loving Father And Loving Husband"
KENDALL (CBS4) ―
A 42-year-old unemployed Kendall man with an extensive criminal history is now accused of being the notorious "Kendall rapist," the person who terrorized and humiliated at least 18 girls and women nearly two decades ago.
William Angel Rivera was arrested Monday after his DNA profile was tied to victims in 8 cases. Police believe he may be linked to ten other assaults. He was 23-years-old when the rapes first happened.
"He's a loving father and he's a loving husband. That's all I can tell you right now," said his wife Niurca Perez, at their home at SW 52nd St. and 164th Place. Perez seemed stunned by the charges against her husband. Neighbors say they have two teenage daughters.
Arrest affidavits released by Miami-Dade Police paint a chilling picture of the attacks. The victims were as young as 14. The attacks happened between August of 1990 and April of 1992. The "Kendall rapist" has not been tied to any assaults after that date.
He was dubbed the "Kendall Rapist" because the attacks happened just north and south of Kendall drive between 102nd and 152nd Avenues. He eluded police despite a massive manhunt and sketches they released at the time of what victims said he looked like.
In many of the cases, victims were assaulted at night or early in the morning. They were often followed while walking, grabbed from behind and their attacker either said he had or had a gun or knife with him. Many of the victims were ordered to take their clothes off and were dragged into wooded or more secluded areas. They were often robbed of jewelry, cash and purses before they were raped.
Police arrested Rivera because of a burglary he was convicted of in Monroe County last November. On April 14th, Rivera's DNA profile was entered in the convicted offender's DNA Database. Within two weeks, Miami-Dade Police say their crime laboratory helped connect Rivera's DNA to the cases.
James Loftus, the Assistant Director of Miami-Dade Police, said detectives are notifying the victims about the arrest of Rivera. "Make no mistake about it," said Loftus. "This was an active serial rapist."
He said there was no evidence he had assaulted anyone after April of 1992.
Loftus praised the work of detectives and those in the Miami-Dade Police crime laboratory and expressed sympathy for the victims, who he said "would never have closure, a word I hate. There is never is closure with something like this. Think of the fear they have lived with all these years. And how many families were affected by all of this."
When CBS4 News asked Loftus for his reaction to the arrest of Rivera, he said, "We love this stuff. This is why we come to work every day."
Rivera is charged with attempted murder and armed kidnapping and armed sexual battery. Other charges are pending because of the additional cases. If he is convicted, he may never get out of prison. Rivera made an appearance in bond court.
Meanwhile, back at his neighborhood, residents said they could not believe Rivera had been living next door. "It's very bad," said Marcia Kava. "I did not expect to have that person around."
Her husband, Gustavo Villazon, said, "What can I tell you. I understand he is behind bars. That's the best way to maintain this. I'm in shock. You never know who's close to you, who's your neighbor."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Double Homicide In NW Miami-Dade
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
