Reward posted in rape cases

Two Camden businesses are offering $25,000 for convictions in recent attacks.

By Sam Wood
Inquirer Staff Writer
December 11, 2004

Two Camden businesses have offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of one or more rapists who have struck in daylight hours in Camden's central business district.

"This is very important to us," said Rich Fini, president of Damiano Long Engineer and Planning, which is offering the reward along with the law firm of Long, Marmero & Mayer. "We want him caught as soon as possible."

A woman working at a shop near Sixth and Cooper Streets was robbed and raped Thursday morning by a man who followed her into the store after she had taken a cigarette break.

The rapist is believed to be the same man who attacked a 19-year-old Rutgers University-Camden student just before 3 p.m. Nov. 22.

Police are uncertain whether the same man is responsible for the Nov. 8 assault on a 17-year-old student from the LEAP Academy University Charter School who was raped while walking near her school.

"We have felt very safe here until this point," Fini said. "But with three suspected serial attacks, it's putting fear into this particular area."

Fini said he would welcome other businesses that might want to contribute to the reward.

Police said they were looking for a light-skinned Latino or African American in his mid-20s, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall to 5-foot-9, with scruffy facial hair. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans, a black hat and dark gloves.

Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Investigator Trish Taulane of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office at 856-225-8400 or Camden Police Detective Ava Berry at 856-757-7420.
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