Suspect in rape might be connected to other cases

By LEANORA MINAI

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 19, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Sex crimes investigators have arrested a Pinellas Park man they say might be responsible for at least nine rapes in St. Petersburg.

Kreg Santos Perez, 21, was arrested after a woman identified him as the man who picked her up at 3:45 a.m. Sunday along 34th Street N, drove to an industrial area and raped her, police said.

Charged with one count of sexual battery, Perez is booked in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

"If he is our guy, that will be wonderful to finally put closure to cases that need it," Detective Julie Bryan said.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is checking its open rape cases for links to Perez, who is unemployed and lives with his mother.

All of the St. Petersburg victims are white women who were walking along Fourth Street N or 34th Street N after midnight. Some of the victims are prostitutes.

"One of the girls described him as having the eyes of a pit bull," Bryan said.

The 41-year-old St. Petersburg woman who was raped Sunday was walking along 34th Street at 11th Avenue N when Perez pulled over. The woman asked Perez for a ride in his black Mazda pickup to buy liquor. Instead, Perez drove her to 2828 21st Ave. N and raped her at knifepoint in and out of the truck, police said.

The woman ran for help and described the man and his truck to authorities. Patrol officers later saw the truck and arrested Perez.

In February, police hit a dead end in their investigation and issued a composite drawing of a man. At the time, police were looking for a man who was targeting prostitutes along Fourth Street N, sexually assaulting as many as a dozen women.

Bryan said Perez changed his story during his interview with police. Police also talked with Perez's family members.

"They couldn't believe he was charged with what he's charged with because he supposedly has a way with women," Bryan said.

Perez has a criminal history. He recently was charged with possession of drugs and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Investigators say they will examine eight other cases because he matches the description provided by victims. They also ask that anyone with information call detectives at (727) 893-4259.

Bryan said investigators will use DNA collected from the victims and Perez to solve the cases.

- Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report.

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