Juvenile arrested in serial rapes

LAS VEGAS - A 17-year-old suspected of forcibly entering the downtown Las Vegas homes of at least six women and sexually assaulting them at knife-point has been arrested by Chicago police.

The suspect, whose name is being withheld by prosecutors because he is a juvenile, is charged with 12 counts of sexual assault. He also was booked on suspicion of 27 other felony counts, including two counts of attempted murder, one count of arson and six counts of kidnapping.

From Feb. 1 to June 7, Las Vegas Metro Police think the boy broke into 10 homes and sexually assaulted six women.

Metro Police Sgt. Dave Cavalieri of the Sexual Assault Detail said that the early break-ins targeted single women at home alone, but that the attacker eventually became more brazen.

In each invasion, the intruder burglarized the home, stealing money, jewelry and in two instances vehicles, Cavalieri said.

Metro Police investigators determined the attacks were being carried out by the same person because of similarities of the crimes and physical evidence.

After determining his identity, Metro Police learned the boy was staying with a relative in Chicago. Police there arrested the boy early Saturday morning.

Prosecutors say it could take two to six weeks to extradite him.

Under Nevada law, the boy automatically will be charged as an adult in the two cases of attempted murder and any crimes related to those incidents. Prosecutors say because of the violence involved, they want the boy to be certified as an adult for all charges.