Trotwood rapes: Neighbor ‘relieved’ after DNA evidence leads to arrest of 16-year-old

TROTWOOD — UPDATE @ 8:45 p.m.

“Relieved” and “safe” are words one resident used to describe her feelings after police announced the arrest today in connection to two December rapes in her neighborhood.

RELATED:  2 rapes reported in one Trotwood neighborhood has residents on edge

“I was glad that they caught him,” Shea Hunter said of the 16-year-old boy’s arrest that was announced during a 5 p.m. news conference by Trotwood Police Chief Erik Wilson.

Hunter said she and other residents spoke often of the sexual assaults that happened Dec. 3 and Dec. 5. Many women were afraid to go out after dark, she said of the community where her family has lived for a long time.

“We never had a problem over here up until this situation ... it was a shock,” Hunter said.

More shocking, she said, was that the suspect also lived in the neighborhood and might be someone with whom she’s crossed paths.

EARLIER REPORT

DNA evidence led to the arrest today of a 16-year-old boy in connection to the rapes of two women in December in one Trotwood neighborhood.

RELATED:  2 rapes reported in one Trotwood neighborhood has residents on edge

Trotwood Police Chief Erik Wilson announced the arrest during an evening press conference.

Wilson said the suspect lived in the same Salem Village neighborhood as the two rape victims.

He was taken to the Montgomery County Juvenile Justice center awaiting formal charges. Police are not releasing his name.

The two rapes were reported Dec. 3 and Dec. 5. The suspect was described as a younger male with a thin build, who stood between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10 inches. In the first assault, the suspect entered through a back door and in the second, through a back window.

“It was believed the same suspect had committed both of these offenses,” Wilson said.

The suspect was linked to the crimes through his DNA, which already was on file, Wilson said.

There were rumors of more rapes in the Salem Village neighborhood bordered by Salem Avenue, Brumbaugh Boulevard, Free Pike and Curundu Avenue. However, Wilson said there were not any others.

Two rapes reported in Trotwood Two rapes reported in Trotwood

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