ST. PETERSBURG - Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who has attacked three elderly women since May 4.
The latest incident was at 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a man with a knife raped an 88-year-old woman inside her home in an area between 15th Avenue S and 22nd Avenue S to 22nd Street and 28th Street, police said.
Police did not release the addresses of the attacks to protect the identities of the victims.
The man has used a ruse in the attacks: He either approaches the women or breaks into their homes and asks for a drink of water. He pushes them down and leaves with their purse or money.
The first attack was at 4 p.m. May 4 between 5th Avenue S and 15th Avenue S to 16th Street to 22nd Street S.
The man approached the home of an 88-year-old woman and asked her for a glass of water. He pulled her hair, pushed her and grabbed her purse.
The second incident was at 10:30 a.m. May 7 between 9th Avenue NE and 13th Avenue NE to Fourth Street and Beach Drive NE.
In that attack, a 74-year-old woman was inside her home when the man entered through an open rear door. The woman found the man in her kitchen, and he asked for a glass of water. He put his hand over her face, pushed her down and took cash.
Police ask anyone with information to call Detective Don Crotty at (727) 893-7563.
