Thursday, August 03, 2000
Trucker linked to rape in Florence
Georgian accused in attacks at malls
The Associated Press
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Georgia trucker is accused in a series of rapes at outlet malls along interstate highways in three states, including an attack in Florence.
Richard Joseph Porcelli, 29, of Sugar Hill is charged with one rape in Georgia and two in Wisconsin, Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman John Bankhead said Wednesday. He said charges are pending in another Georgia rape and one in Kentucky.
The attacks took place in stores at outlet malls in 1995 and 1998, Mr. Bankhead said. “He would go into the store while a female employee was there alone,” then rape and rob her, he said.
Mr. Bankhead said police in Wisconsin identified Mr. Porcelli last week by feeding a fingerprint from one of the Wisconsin attacks into a new FBI computer. Police in Georgia then obtained a warrant for a blood sample from Mr. Porcelli, who was jailed in Lawrenceville on an unrelated charge, and linked him to all five attacks through DNA, he said.
“These crimes were especially brutal in how the victims were treated by the offender,” said police Chief James M. Horvath of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., where Mr. Porcelli is charged with armed robbery and sexual assault in attacks at the Lakeside Marketplace mall off Interstate 94 in February 1995 and August 1998.
In Georgia, Mr. Porcelli is charged with rape, aggravated sodomy and armed robbery in a January 1995 attack at the Tanger outlet mall near Commerce, off I-85.
Florence police said they were waiting to notify the person who was attacked before taking further action on charging Mr. Porcelli.
Freeway link reopens with kinks
Decision on Lunken is delayed
Bengals get city to ban scalpers, vendors
Two plans on organs competing
Goetta-well wishes flow for damaged 4th Street pig
Pig Parade: Country Ham Pig
Archaeologists dig up abolitionist's artifacts
Computer yields no death clue
Lawyers say it was life or death
Penny pinching at schools described
Trucker linked to rape in Florence
Two boys plead guilty in Mason sexual assault
Casual becomes 'business appropriate'
Readers weigh in on casual dressing
GET TO IT
KIESEWETTER: WUBE 'temporary' show nominated
KNIPPENBERG: Poetry packs 'em in down at Cafe Cin-Cin
Butler Co. couple found dead
Court to hear appeal in baby's slaying
Covington forums to address school audit
Daughter called troubled
Engineer violated injunction, Butler says
Fund to help homeless
Lakota repeats request for levy
Local Digest
Mason growth just fine for barber
Minority firm accuses state of discrimination after firing
Monroe fire unit looks forward to new quarters
Old Timers Day returns to East Side
Statue honoring jockey damaged
Waynesville schools fight fiscal jam
