Detroit police announce arrests in sexual attacks of local women

By Charles Sercombe
For the past two weeks concern has grown over the safety of local women.
On Sept. 30 and last Sunday two Hamtramck women reported being abducted and sexually assaulted while biking, in the earlier incident, and walking in the second, in the area of the Russell Industrial Center, located near the Hamtramck border with Detroit.
A third abduction happened Sunday in the area of Denton and St. Aubin.
On Wednesday afternoon, however, Detroit police announced the arrest of two Detroit males, one in his 30s and another in his 20s. Police said the suspects are serial rapists believed to be connected with the recent attacks and may have been involved in other incidents.
The assaults prompted a meeting of local residentsTuesday evening at the Outer Limits Lounge on Caniff near the Hamtramck border. Most of those who attended were women, who said they will to start up several prevention and awareness programs.
There have been occasional reports by women and school-age girls of males following them during the past year. None of them have resulted in attacks.
Hamtramck Councilmember Andrea Karpinski said she was followed by a driver of a van on Sunday evening as she walked down Jos. Campau.
In the three abductions, the suspects drove a van or an SUV.
Karpinski urged those who suspect they have been followed or experience any other suspicious situations to report it immediately to the police department.