COLUMBUS, Ohio – Police say a suspected child rapist who fled from from Massachusetts and went on a multi-state crime spree may have been in central Ohio as recently as Sunday night.
Gregory Lewis, 26, is charged with the sexual assault of a Southbridge, Mass., girl and is wanted in connection with sexual assaults, kidnappings, and armed robberies as far west as Boise, Idaho, according to information on the Southbridge police Facebook page.
Authorities say Lewis cut off his GPS monitoring bracelet last month and tied and handcuffed a family member to prevent police from being called. They say he is considered armed and dangerous and has made “homicidal” and “suicide by cop” threats.
Southbridge police say they received information that Lewis was in Columbus Sunday afternoon and evening.
He is believed to be driving a dark blue 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with fog lights in the front and alloy wheel rims.
After leaving Massachusetts, police say Lewis assaulted and robbed a woman in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 23 and has been reported in Denver in early October, Portland, Ore., around Oct. 13, in the Boise area on Oct. 14 and in Salt Lake City around Oct. 17. He has also been reported in the Indianapolis area.
Police say Lewis is suspected of committing at least a half-dozen sexual assaults since he fled Massachusetts. They say several of his victims are women employed by escort services whom Lewis arranged to meet at local hotels, then handcuffed, threatened with a gun, robbed, and sexually assaulted.
Columbus police say Lewis also goes by the name Justin Blackwelder and anyone who believes they have knowledge of his whereabout6s should call 911.