Suspect arrested in series of rapes

Police also arrested a suspect in an August killing.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- With the arrest of Michael A. Bell, one suspect remains at large in a series of South Side rapes, police said.
Bell, 19, of Hudson Avenue, was arrested Friday morning at the Mahoning County Jail, where he was being held on an aggravated-burglary charge. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in municipal court on a rape charge.
Patrolwoman Sue Ellis, assigned to the Crisis Intervention Unit, said she developed information from the burglary victim that led to Bell. She then compiled a photo lineup for a woman raped in September who identified Bell as her attacker.
Reports show that an 18-year-old woman walking home after leaving a store at 11 p.m. Sept. 15 said a man approached her in the 100 block of West Boston Avenue, asking if he could walk with her. He then grabbed her around the neck, punched her in the head and dragged her down the driveway of an abandoned house and into the back yard, where he raped her.
The suspect was described as a short 19-year-old wearing a blue hoodie. Bell is 5 feet, 7 inches and 140 pounds.
Ellis said Bell also is a suspect in a second rape.
Another man suspected of rapes on the South Side remains at large. He is described as 6 feet to 6 feet, 3 inches and 160 to 190 pounds.
Burglary victim's account
The burglary victim, who lives on West Boston, said she awoke on the couch late Oct. 22 to find a man she thought was her cousin in her house. She said the man, who turned out to be Bell, got on top of her and began kissing her. She pushed him out the door.
She recognized him from a visit with a neighbor earlier that evening and went to the neighbor's house the next day and obtained the man's name. She then went to Bell's home on Hudson and spoke to his father, who told her that his son is always doing what she described, reports show. The father urged her to call police.
Bell was arrested Wednesday on the aggravated-burglary charge after being identified by the woman on West Boston. His bond on the burglary is $500,000 and he has a preliminary hearing set for Wednesday.
Police chief grateful
Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr., speaking at a press conference Friday, said the CIU did a great investigation. He also thanked local media for publicizing the rapes and warning women on the South Side to not go out alone after dark.
There have been three rapes and two attempted rapes reported since mid-September in the general area bordered by Glenwood Avenue, Midlothian Boulevard, West Indianola Avenue and Market Street. Another sexual attack occurred in June on West Princeton Avenue just west of Hillman Street.
Murder suspect is apprehended
In an unrelated matter, Lt. Robin Lees announced the arrest of Jawan Johnson, 25, of East Judson Avenue on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. Johnson was arrested at home Friday afternoon.
Johnson and another man, who remains at large, were secretly indicted as John Does by a Mahoning County grand jury.
Johnson is charged with the Aug. 16 murder of Matthew J. Saunders, 40. Police have said he once resided on East Florida Avenue but his address in August wasn't immediately known.
An anonymous 911 call at 11:56 p.m. led police to a parking lot at the southwest corner of Pyatt and Erie streets on the South Side. Saunders was found dead on the ground outside the driver's side door of his white 1991 two-door Ford Escort. The car was facing west with its engine still running and both doors wide open. The headlights were off.
Police said Saunders had been shot in the head. The scene of the crime has a reputation for drug and prostitution activity.
Friday, Detective Sgt. Daryl Martin said Saunders had made arrangements to meet a woman in the area for sex and was set up for a robbery. Cash and a cell phone were taken.
Martin said he received information, including nicknames, that led to Johnson's arrest. The detective said the female prostitute was involved in the crime to some degree.