Police arrested a suspected serial rapist in University Heights on Sept. 13, apparently linking him with a sexual assault case in Ocean Beach on Sept. 8.
Police also arrested 29-year-old Deandre Smith at around 10:30 p.m. for allegedly sexually assaulting at least other three women in the University Heights, North Park and Hillcrest area over a five-day period beginning Sept. 9, said police Lt. Carolyn Kendrick.
One of the victims, a woman Smith met in North Park, was assaulted in Ocean Beach, Kendrick said.
When Smith was arrested, police said he was driving a vehicle stolen from one of his reported victims.
“We hope that we stopped him from [committing] another sexual assault or violent crime,” Kendrick said.
Victims have identified Smith and the District Attorney’s Office has charged Smith with several felony counts, including five charges of forcible rape and one count of kidnapping.
In all but one of the cases, Smith allegedly followed the same pattern when targeting his victims, Kendrick said.
Smith reportedly targeted females who lived alone in a single-family residence or ground-level cottage. Smith allegedly entered the residence through an unlocked door or window after breaking or removing the screen. Once inside, he would sexually assault the victim and then use the victim’s car to flee the scene, Kendrick said.
Kendrick said Smith, who lived in various parts of southeastern San Diego throughout his life, would move into the North Park, Hillcrest and University Heights area and wait for the victim.
The first case, however, occurred in Ocean Beach at Robb Field on Sept. 8 from 11:30 p.m. until about 7 a.m. the following morning. Smith allegedly assaulted a 41-year-old woman after allegedly having her drive to Ocean Beach from the 4000 block of 30th Street in North Park, Kendrick said. Smith allegedly stole the victim’s vehicle, which was later recovered, according to a police department press statement.
Smith also allegedly sexually assaulted a 55-year-old female on Sept. 11. The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. until a little after midnight.
Smith reportedly gained entry through an unlocked door of the victim’s home on the 4300 block of Florida Street. After the assault, he reportedly stole the victim’s vehicle. Smith’s third apparent victim was a 69-year-old female he allegedly assaulted on Sept. 13, from about 2:30 a.m. to about 6:30 a.m., according to a police statement. Smith reportedly gained entry through an open window and fled on foot after the assault.
Smith is also suspected of another attempted sexual assault that took place on Aug. 31. Police await Smith’s DNA test results to compare with evidence collected at the scene, Kendrick said.
Smith is currently being held in San Diego County jail on $645,000 and was expected to appear in court date today, Sept. 27.
Kendrick said Smith has a multiple but unspecified convictions and could be facing a lengthy prison stay, if convicted.