Baltimore Police Catch Suspected Serial Rapist; Link Him To 3 Attacks With DNA
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- City police say a serial rapist is off the streets. Investigators linked the suspect to three separate attacks but say there may be more victims.
Gigi Barnett explains how detectives caught the suspect.
The list of charges against Nelson Bernard Clifford, 33, is long. Baltimore detectives say he's responsible for three different rape cases throughout the city.
"I don't know how to describe this individual other than a predator," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police spokesperson.
Police say the first rape happened in early November in the 3700-block of Greenmount Avenue. In that attack, police say Clifford climbed through a woman's window at night and raped her at knifepoint while her two children were in the next room.
It happened again a few days later, this time in the 700-block of Lennox Street.
It happened a third time in the 900-block of Harlem Avenue last month. This time, police say he used an ice pick to threaten the victim.
Investigators say Clifford would always strike at night and linked him to all of the attacks with DNA.
"Nelson Clifford has a very specific MO," said Baltimore City Police Major Martin Barton.
Jeanie McAlpine is glad to hear he was caught. She recently moved into one of the neighborhoods Clifford targeted. She says even though he's off the streets, she won't stop taking extra steps of precaution.
"I have a pit bull. He's very friendly but a lot of people are intimidated by him," she said.
Police found Clifford hiding out in Dundalk a couple of weeks ago and they were able to find the third and latest victim while he was in jail.
Police believe there may be more victims. They're asking anyone with information on Clifford to call investigators.
