MEMPHIS, Tenn. — People living in apartments all across Memphis have been victim to a masked man in his 20s, who breaks in through windows and patio doors, stealing and raping. He has hit at least five times.
“That’s frightening. I did not hear of anything like that. It’s something that I would want to hear since I have kids,” apartment renter Candis Malone said.
She didn’t hear because Memphis Police didn’t tell the public about the crimes until Monday, at least a year after the attacks started and after another one happened this past Sunday at the Arbors of Hickory Ridge Apartments in Hickory Hill.
Initially police would not tell us why it took so long. We asked the chair of the Memphis City Council, Kemp Conrad, who called police directly.
“I don’t know, based on what MPD has told me, they were able to connect the evidence until recently that some things that have gone on nonviolently was the same person that committed these violent acts. Now they have been able to put those things together or strongly suspect that. That’s why now they are getting the word out,” Conrad said.
Five months between the last two attacks. Months with no word on a predator.
New council member Worth Morgan, who hadn’t heard about the rapist, heads up the Public Safety Committee and campaigned on transparency.
“If it becomes an issue of public safety, it needs to be out in the open unless it hinders an investigation for any reason whatsoever,” Morgan said.
He predicts there will be better communication in the next few years, between the government, the police and the people.
It’s not too much to ask for Memphians who want information as soon as possible that can keep them safe.
“Sooner yes, so you could be more cautious. It’s already dangerous as it is, at least you will be a little bit more leery around this area when you are coming and going. So I would definitely like to know sooner,” Malone said.
Memphis Police told us late Tuesday that it took a while for investigators to connect the rape cases. They don’t have much of a description of the rapist, but we do know he wears a mask and is getting into apartments through windows and patio doors.
We still can’t tell you exactly when he hit, because police still won’t tell us. They only said it was 2014 and 2015.