Alleged Serial Rapist Charged In Kidnappings, Sexual Assaults Of 5 Women
DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities say his crimes began when he was only 14 years old.
A 21-year-old Detroit man has been charged with kidnapping, armed robbery and rape in connection with the sexual assault of five women.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says Michael Sykes was arraigned Wednesday in 36th District Court in two cases — one that occurred in 2008 and another that occurred in March of this year.
He's charged with five counts of kidnapping and 17 counts of criminal sexual conduct, as well as robbery and gun charges.
The first incident happened around 2:30 a.m. on March 24, 2008, in an alley at Wisconsin and Cortland. It's alleged that Sykes, then just a teenager, kidnapped, sexually assaulted and robbed two women, ages 25 and 26.
The second incident happened around 12 a.m. on March 29, 2015 near Fenkell and Schaefer. It's alleged that Sykes kidnapped, sexually and physically assaulted, and robbed three women, ages 19, 20 and 21.
After a lengthy manhunt, Sykes was taken into custody Friday when police stopped a car that was seen leaving the site of a robbery.
Investigators said Sykes was in the back seat, wearing the rape suspect's trademark black zipper mask, as seen in a suspect sketch released by police. Authorities said Sykes also matched the physical description of the serial rapist: a black male, around 5 feet, 10 inchest tall with a stocky build and medium complexion.
Worthy believes there may yet be more victims.
"I would like to commend the work of the Detroit Police Department, but our work is not done," Worthy said in a statement. "We will continue to investigate any other cases related to this suspect."
Sykes was remanded to jail and will be back in court on April 29 for a probable cause hearing and May 6 for a preliminary exam.
