Bloomington, Ill. ? A police officer arrested after he was spotted lurking outside a home was charged Friday with raping four women since 2002.

Two of the rape victims identified Bloomington Sgt. Jeff Pelo from a photo lineup, and police found a mask, pry bar and other items in his home that appeared to have been used in at least one of the assaults, Assistant State’s Atty. Mark Messman said.

“Police believe that, based upon similarities in the assaults, that one man is responsible for all four assaults,” Messman said in court.

In addition to the rape charges, Pelo, 41, is also charged with two counts of home invasion, alleging he was armed with a knife in one case and a gun in another, and charges of aggravated stalking and attempted residential burglary.

Steve Skelton, Pelo’s attorney, said the identifications were suspect.

“I don’t think there’s any believable reason he could be charged,” Skelton said. “But I don’t think under the circumstances that there’s any likelihood of a conviction in this case because I’m firmly convinced today, as I was several weeks ago, of the innocence of my client.”

Pelo, who has been on administrative leave since his arrest last month on suspicion of stalking, made no comment during the brief hearing.

The judge set his bail at $2 million, and Pelo’s wife left the courtroom without comment, escorted by court security.

Police spokesman Dave White said the department had no comment.