1:42pm Thursday 15th November 2007
By Dan Menhinnitt
Officers fear the serial burglar and rapist responsible for almost 100 crimes may have struck again this morning.
Detectives from Operation Minstead - one of the Met's largest ever manhunts - were being consulted following a burglary on an elderly woman's home in South Norwood.
It is believed the 93-year-old woman's home was burgled some time between 4am and 6am. It is not thought that the woman was a victim of a sexual assault.
A Met spokesman said officers investigating this morning's burglary have consulted the team running Operation Minstead.
The team, led by Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan, is hunting a suspect who has committed 98 crimes, including four rapes and 24 indecent assaults since 1990.
As well as sexual assaults the suspect has burgled victim's homes.
Many of those assaults and burglaries have taken place in Croydon, specifically Shirley.
The serial rapist, a black man aged between 30 and 40, has been described as a gerontophile - because all his victims have been between the ages of 68 and 93.
He has indecently assaulted men as well as women.
Police believe the man, described as having a round face, broad nose and large lips, has a particular knowledge of the Shirley and Orpington areas where the majority of his crimes have taken place.
The man is said to have an athletic build, wears size 10 shoes and is between 5ft 10in and 6ft 2in.
During conversations with victims the suspect has revealed a particular link with Brighton and that his mum died in 2000.
He is also known to have stolen ornaments from victims' homes which police have said may have been kept as trophies.
Officers also think he may have cared for an elderly relative and have not ruled out that he once worked, or still works, with elderly people.
DNA testing has shown the suspect or his family come from the Caribbean, specifically the Winward Islands where officers are planning to mount further appeals.
A £40,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the sex attacker's identification, arrest and prosecution.
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4640 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk