Gov. Perry Requests DPS Create Crime Task Force to Assist in Search for Serial Central Texas Rapist

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has requested that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) establish a multi-jurisdictional major crime task force to help local law enforcement agencies catch a violent serial rapist. The governor asked DPS to make all its resources, including the Texas Rangers, available to assist in capturing a rapist responsible for multiple sexual assaults of elderly women in several Central Texas cities. 

“The viciousness of these attacks warrants a combined effort to bring this criminal to justice,” said Governor Perry. “The creation of this task force will leverage our state’s law enforcement personnel, in coordination with local law enforcement, to bring an end to this heinous crime spree.”

Over the past year, a serial rapist, dubbed the “Twilight Rapist,” has been linked to eight sexual assaults or attempted sexual assaults, and four burglaries or attempted burglaries. The victims, who lived alone, ranged in age from 65 to 91.

The suspect has been described as a thin, young and dark skinned man between 5 ½- and 6-feet tall.  While DNA has linked the suspect to several crimes, no specific suspect has been identified in the state DNA database.

DPS will work with local law enforcement officials involved in this investigation to establish this task force and provide them whatever resources they deem necessary.