The Prince William County Police along with police from other jurisdictions solved the East Coast Rapist case last week which had been an open case since 1997. The alleged rapist is originally from Berryville, VA, where his mother still lives. He raped women in Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island before being apprehended. His latest victims were 3 Dale City teens who were walking home after trick or treating over in Dale City in 2009.
A police effort recently put up a series of roadway graphics along the interstates on the east coast in hopes on finding this criminal. Thousands of tips came in and one paid off. Aaron Thomas, 39 was arrested late last week. PWC police connected the dots that he was probably a truck driver. They also cashed in on capturing his DNA from a carelessly discarded cigarette while he was appearing in court over something unrelated.
