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Police link 14th case to "Kansas College Rapist"

Posted at 2:22 PM, Jul 26, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-27 18:33:24-04

Riley County and Lawrence police are asking for your help to find the man responsible for attacking 14 women in two Kansas college towns.

In a joint news conference on Thursday, the two agencies announced a 2015 attempted rape in Manhattan is the latest case linked to the "Kansas College Rapist." Police believe the suspect attacked eight other Kansas State students and five at KU.

He's described as a 5'10 white male with a protruding stomach. Unfortunately, the suspect wore a mask during the attacks, so no facial description is available.

According to Riley County and Lawrence police, the serial rapist's method is always the same. He enters off campus apartments and homes between 2 and 4:30 a.m., usually during breaks in the academic calendar. Police said he wears a mask and carries a gun to threaten victims.

"The means by which he gained entry was sometimes unknown," Riley County Police Director Brad Schoen said of the suspect.

Police believe the man spent time watching his victims and learning their schedules before attacking.

That detail put Nicole Green, a Kansas State graduate student, on edge.

"In college you have class. You go to work at the same time everyday," she said. "You take precautions, but you are always concerned what if I'm being targeted and I don't even know it," Green added.

Authorities are urging students to remain alert, but the departments are also hoping Thursday's press conference will lead other potential victims or witnesses to come forward.

"We want to hear from you. We want to help you," Schoen said.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and the U.S. Marshal's Office are also assisting in the investigation. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

For more information, visit the website the departments have put up.

Watch the full press conference below: