Man questioned in Kensington rapes

Philadelphia police are investigating if a man in custody this morning is connected to several knifepoint rapes last month in Kensington.

The series of attacks began on the evening of Nov. 15, when a 26-year-old was sexually assaulted in a car. A week later there were two attacks, one shortly after midnight, another in the evening involving a 32-year-old woman forced into a car.

The description of the car - a white Volkswagon Jetta with the license plate HVD5131 - lead police to arrest the driver for possible driving under the influence, police said.

On Tuesday, police had traced the car to a man in Norristown, according to Capt. John Darby, head of the Special Victims Unit.

The suspect was described as a clean-shaven Hispanic, about 5-foot-8, in his mid-30s with heavy build, short dark hair and tattoos on both forearms.

In November and December 2010, three women were raped and murdered in Kensington, setting police in search of a so-called "Kensington Strangler." In January, Antonio Rodriguez was arrested and gave police confessions for all three murders.