Suspect in Mass. to Ohio crime spree ID'd, due in court
CINCINNATI -- A man who Massachusetts authorities say allegedly stabbed a relative, raped a woman and then drove both victims from his home to Ohio was scheduled to be arraigned Monday on theft and escape charges, an Ohio sheriff said.
Kevin Blakemore, 21, was arrested Sunday at a Pike County hospital in southern Ohio when his alleged stabbing victim showed up in the emergency room for treatment, Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said Monday.
"The injured man apparently told a nurse that he had been in an accident, but she became suspicious when she noticed his clothes weren't dirty or torn and called our office," Reader said.
Blakemore was taken into custody at the hospital and placed into a deputy's car, Reader said, but somehow managed to slip into the front seat and tried to drive off. Deputies stopped him after about 20 yards, drawing their weapons.
"Fortunately no blood was shed, and he was taken into custody and placed in another cruiser," Reader said.
Blakemore was taken to the Scioto County jail because Pike County has no jail. He was being held there pending arraignment Monday in Waverly, in Pike County, on the escape and theft charges.
The stabbing victim was subsequently taken to a Columbus hospital, but his condition wasn't immediately known, Reader said.
The crime spree began Thursday when police in Boxborough, Massachusetts, said the suspect stabbed his male relative several times at their Boxborough apartment. He then allegedly assaulted and raped a woman who was also in the home and forced both victims into a car and drove about 800 miles from Massachusetts to Ohio, Boxborough police said.
Reader said a woman, who apparently had traveled in the car from Massachusetts, was later located at a home in Pike County. There was no indication that she was being held against her will, but mental health officials were brought in to talk with her, he said.
"We are still trying to sort out what happened," said Reader, who said he was trying to consult with Massachusetts officials on their part of the investigation.