Alleged Lover's Lane Rapist In Custody

Last night, police arrested the man they believe is responsible for [raping five women in city parks] over the past four years: [former Olympic sprinter Alvin Henry](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/2007/07/02/2007-07-02_former_olympic_sprinter_arrested_in_city.html). Police believe the 30-year old Queens resident who represented Trinidad and Tobago in the Sidney Games is the “Lovers’ Lane” serial rapist, whose moniker came from the fact that every woman he targeted had just parted from her boyfriend or a male companion prior to being attacked.

The arrest came16 days after Henry allegedly raped a 34-year old woman at gunpoint in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. According to several sources, the woman happened to spot Henry during a ride with police around the park after the incident, and once the suspect was in custody, other victims were able to pick him out of a police lineup. Others are reporting, however, that Henry was actually brought in after [an officer recognized him] from a sketch. Regardless, police believe that Henry was also responsible for the June 11th rape of a 15-year-old girl in Jamaica, Queens, an April 27th rape of a 15 year-old-girl in Prospect Park and a June 2003 rape of an 18-year-old girl at knifepoint. Henry has been charged with rape, sexual misconduct and sexual abuse.

The Daily News is already reporting that Henry’s relatives are not surprised by the arrest, and that the attacks coincided with the dates Henry was in the city. “I’m not shocked. I knew something wasn’t right with him,” Tiffany Ottley, described by the paper as “a distant cousin of Henry,” said.

Photo courtesy of [Poagao on Flickr]