State Police: Southbridge Child Rape Suspect On Crime Spree Heading Back East
BOSTON (CBS) - Massachusetts State Police say a Southbridge man wanted for violent crimes in several states is believed to be heading back to the East Coast.
State Police spokesman Dave Procopio told WBZ-TV Gregory Lewis was spotted in Columbus, Ohio Sunday night.
Despite reports that he is headed back to Massachusetts, Procopio said Lewis's ultimate destination is not known at this point in the investigation.
Lewis, 26, has been on the run since Sept. 15, when police say he cut off his GPS bracelet and fled Massachusetts. Before he took off, police say he left that bracelet in the front yard of the child he is accused of raping. Police are now protecting that child.
Many people in in Southbridge know the suspect's name, but they don't want to see him.
"As a mom I'm afraid as well," said Southbridge resident Kristy Thoniski.
"It's kind of scary that he's still on the loose and no one seems to know where he is or gotten a hold of him yet," said resident Bill Behrens.
After Lewis left Southbridge, he allegedly kidnapped, robbed and assaulted a woman in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Authorities believe he then returned home to Southbridge on Sept. 25, seriously assaulted a family member, stole a handgun and ammunition and left.
Prior to being spotted Sunday in Ohio, police also believe Lewis was in Indianapolis days earlier, in Denver in early October and in Portland, Oregon on October 13.
They believe Lewis then went to Boise, Idaho on the 14th and Salt Lake City on the 17th.
He's suspected of committing at least six sexual assaults in several states since he fled Massachusetts in September.
"Several of his victims are women employed by escort services whom Lewis arranged to meet at local hotels. The victims have been handcuffed, threatened with a gun, robbed, and sexually assaulted," State Police said in a statement Monday afternoon.
He is believed to be driving the same dark blue 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was previously described to the public.
Police revealed some new details about that SUV Monday, saying it has fog lights in the front, alloy wheel rims, and may have a sticker on the center of the rear bumper below the license plate.
"We believe he had attached stolen Idaho plates at one time but those plates may have since been replaced, so the type of plate on the vehicle is undetermined at this time," police said in their statement.
Investigators also released photos of Lewis's tattoos hoping someone will recognize them.
"A very recent description of him subsequent to those photos indicated he was clean shaven; he may or may not currently have facial hair," police said.
Lewis is armed and dangerous, according to police.
Anyone seeing him should not approach him, but call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE.
WBZ-TV's Katie Brace contributed to this report.
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