ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police say they’ve identified the suspect in a series of rape cases dating back to 1988.
Police say 61-year-old Leslie Lagrotta “terrorized” the Central Florida community between 1988 and 1998.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood joined Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon at a press conference Thursday afternoon to discuss in detail the recent break in the case.
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“We are looking for a predator, looking at a guy who stole from these women,” Chitwood said.
OPD’s Criminal Investigations Division said they linked Lagrotta to seven rape cases committed throughout Central Florida over that 10 year period. In most cases, they said, Lagrotta was armed with a weapon.
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According to investigators, new forensic technology linked Lagrotta to three sex abuse cases reported in the city of Orlando between 1988 and 1989, and four more reported in Volusia County from 1992 through 1998.
According to police, Lagrotta was arrested in Daytona Beach in 2010 and submitted a DNA sample at the time.
After offering his DNA to investigators, police say Lagrotta cleared out his bank account and broke off contact with his family.
Investigators said he told his brother that he had to leave town or he was going to go to prison.
Now, police are asking for help finding him.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $25,000 reward for leads in the case.
“Pick up the phone, let us know where he’s at, so we can work with OPD and bring this scumbag to justice,” Chitwood said. “We owe it to these women.”
They’re asking anyone who’s heard from Lagrotta or who may know where to find him to contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477 or the Orlando Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 321-235-5300.
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