Details emerge on suspect in dozenrapes

The Associated Press

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - A man who lived a Jekyll-and-Hyde lifestyle as he sexually assaulted women from Virginia to Rhode Island over 12 years asked, "Why haven't you picked me up sooner?" when he was arrested last week, a prosecutor said in court Monday.

Aaron Thomas, 39, wore sunglasses and a baseball cap as he appeared in New Haven Superior Court in Connecticut on a charge of raping a woman in 2007 in her New Haven home in front of her baby.

Prosecutor David Strollo said the unemployed truck driver described himself as having "a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" personality regarding women.

Authorities say DNA from a cigarette butt confirms Thomas is the man known as the East Coast Rapist, wanted for attacks in Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia. He had lived in Maryland and Virginia, according to public records.

Investigators say they know of 12 attacks with 17 victims, including 14 sexual assaults, two abductions where women either escaped or were not assaulted, and one peeping offense where DNA was found.

Authorities in Virginia's Prince William County are charging him with rape, abduction, being a fugitive and using a firearm while committing a felony.