TULSA, Okla. — Suspected serial rapist Lewin Dejesus Fernandez-Rodriguez is behind bars.
He is charged with:
- 1st degree rape
- kidnapping
- attempted 1st degree rape
Officers said there have been multiple reported attacks near Admiral and Sheridan in a six-week span.
“She stated that a man came up to her and put her in like a choke hold, and she felt something jammed in her back that she believed was a weapon. She reported that he forced her into his vehicle and at that point, he drove to a nearby park and she reported that he raped her,” said Special Victim’s Unit Lt. Darin Ehrenrich.
He said the Fernandez-Rodriguez appeared to be targeting homeless women.
2 News asked him why a warning wasn’t issued to people living in the area about a possible serial rapist.
“We didn’t get this information until late April. When you look at this case, there weren’t rapes reported with the first two incidents, so the first notification that we had was late April when that victim reported the rape,” said Ehrenrich.
He also said it’s difficult to issue warnings to people who are unhoused and lack access to technology.
According to the police affidavit, officers pinpointed Fernandez-Rodriguez using Flock Safety cameras.
Ehrenrich said they were also able to review other reports, and a pattern quickly emerged.
“When we look at this pattern, we have three reported victims and three potential victims over a six-week span. Right now, he’s accused of one rape and he’s only identified in the rape, but based on the information we have, this appears to be in the exact same area, during the exact same time frame, you have a similar suspect description in terms of how the suspect is described and the vehicle being driven,” said Ehrenrich.
2 News spoke with Bernice Hawkins, who lives nearby, and she is concerned about the reported attacks, "It’s scary! It’s a scary thought for something to happen like that."
Tulsa police believe there may be additional victims and are continuing their investigation.
If you have any information about this case, please contact the Tulsa Police Department's Special Victims Unit by calling 918-596-9168 or emailing specialvictimsunit@cityoftulsa.org.
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