Kevin Bennett, Accused Of Multiple Rapes, Stalking Women In Philadelphia Area, Arrested In Indianapolis: Police
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The man accused of multiple rapes and stalking women in both Philadelphia and Montgomery County has been arrested in Indiana. Philadelphia police confirm 28-year-old Kevin Bennett was arrested around 1:50 p.m. Saturday in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Police said Bennett was wanted for seven incidents between May 15-18. Bennett, according to police, mostly targetted women that worked at gentleman's clubs, but his latest victim seemed random.
"She denies having any involvement with the clubs in Philadelphia where the other victims had worked," Upper Merion Police Chief Thomas Nolan said on Friday.
Bennett carried out the majority of his crimes on May 18, police said.
Starting at midnight, officials said he followed his first victim on that day, and then approached her in her apartment complex. She screamed for help and he fled. By 10:20 a.m., he found his next two victims.
"He went inside the apartment, allegedly checking electricity," Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Burgmann said. "That's when he produced a silver-colored handgun and he robbed and raped both females before fleeing."
Just before 4 p.m., police said Bennett made his way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Upper Merion. The latest victim was working out in the fitness center when he walked up to the door. She let him in, but soon realized he was making her uncomfortable by asking personal questions, according to police.
Police said she gathered her belongings to leave, but Bennett blocked her path. She forced her way past him and tried to run for the door.
"As she was going for the door, she was struck in the head twice, in the back of the head with what she believes was the handgun," Nolan said.
The woman made it to the lobby for help. The suspect trailed behind, but exited the front door, leaving the scene in a dark gray Dodge Charger with no license plates, police said.
As for this latest victim, police said she was from out of state. She was treated and released at a local hospital and flew home the next day.
Six of the seven known victims reported being followed home from where they work at various Philadelphia strip clubs.
"I've been living in fear," a woman said.
Words from a woman Bennett dated briefly last year.
"He was forcing me to be with him, relationship, love him, kids," she said. "Like whoa."
The victim doesn't want her identity revealed for fear of retaliation.
"The last time I really had a physical encounter with him was July of last year. He had shot at my house, 23 bullets came through," she said. "The same day, I got a U-Haul and got the hell out of there."
Indianapolis police documents show Bennett is accused of threatening and harassing her, even busting the windows of her car and slashing all four tires.
"I never thought somebody would actually try to kill me or kidnap me outside of my house," she said.
The victim said she had to get a new phone due to the thousands of sometimes threatening messages from the accused stalker.
"All of these are him. All the emojis. Those are all him harassing me," she said.
Bennett is now in the custody of the Marion County Sheriffs in Indianapolis, his hometown. This after a days-long hunt that included the FBI.
His ex says she isn't surprised.
"I'd come home," she said, "and he'd be hiding in my closet or something. He's crazy."
Bennett isn't new to law enforcement. In September, he was arrested for resisting law enforcement and criminal mischief during a traffic stop. In October, he was arrested for stealing nearly $2,000 in merchandise from Macy's. His ex says he's dangerous.
"So, he is like fresh out. He was institutionalized his entire 20s," she said. "He's crazy. He's literally the definition of psychotic."
Philadelphia police said Bennett is being held on charges relating to a vehicle investigation in Indianapolis by Marion County Sheriffs.
Bennett is due back in an Indianapolis court in June.
There's no word at this time when he'll face a judge for the crimes he's been accused of in Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
CBS3's Alecia Reid and Alexandria Hoff contributed to this report.
