Filed under: News
Safety is somewhat restored for women walking the streets and waiting for buses on Detroit's Northeast side. The man suspected to be the criminal behind the series of rape attacks since January 1st was arraigned on formal charges this afternoon.
"There's no person in the Metro-area that this didn't touch," Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. said.
Raynard Coleman, 31, is being held on multiple charges of criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. If convicted, he faces multiple life sentences. His previous criminal history includes assault with intent to murder and robbery. He served 14 years in prison for his last criminal offense and was released on parole in 2009.
Police picked up Coleman last Wednesday at an Eastside home (pictured above) on Lansdowne Street after several tips and forensic evidence allegedly connected him to the assaults. He was identified in a line-up by six of the seven victimized women. Godbee noted that science was significant in the investigation.
"We had done everything in our investigative power, our deployment strategies, soliciting tips in the community but the last critical piece was the science," he said.
The rape spree ignited communal terror and the victory of catching the suspect is reassuring for residents in the area.
Cassie Ray, 15, and Lanora Daniels, 15, live in the neighborhood and walk home from a nearby high school, Denby, everyday.
"I'm so glad they got him because he could be doing a lot more things," Daniels said.
The young ladies said knowing a rapist was on the loose was unnerving and did affect their choices to go out.
"I didn't even want to leave the house a lot," Ray said. "I couldn't even go to my little sister's party."
Denby's assistant principal, Dedria Willis, said speculations about the rapist prompted students to get to school on time. The high school followed protocol mandated by Detroit Public School Financial Manager Robert Bob to alert students of safety precautions during that time.
"Most of Denby felt relieved but they are still on their p's and q's because one criminal is off the street but we still have more," Willis said.
In addition to Detroit Public School police patrolling, she said it would also be helpful to get rid of the abandoned homes in the area.
"It's abandoned homes right across the street," she said. "I wish the city would do something to it; like tear it down. It aids crimes and it aids students to skip."
Most of the women assaulted were reportedly taken to abandoned structures after being abducted from nearby bus stops.
While Coleman awaits his due process, Detroit police and community leaders are esteemed at their speedy collaborative efforts to secure city streets. At an earlier news conference, Godbee joked that he and other officers will finally get some sleep.
Jazmine Steele is a freelance journalist in the city of Detroit. She can be reached on twitter @ jazzsteele.