Rape may be connected to two unsolved assaults

Lawrence police believe the rape of a 21-year-old woman early Monday morning inside her home may be connected to two other unsolved rapes in the city. According to police, the latest victim was sexually assaulted by an armed intruder just before 3 a.m. The suspect — as in two previous rape cases from 2004 — is described as a white male in his 20s, approximately six feet tall, with a slim build.In July 2004, a woman in her 20s was raped inside her Southwest Lawrence home. That attack also occurred around 3 a.m.And in late December 2004, two women were sexually assaulted inside the same Lawrence apartment. The suspect in both of those cases was also armed with a weapon. Clarification: It was one incident, with two victims.Police ask if you see anyone acting suspiciously matching this suspect’s description to call the anonymous CrimeStoppers hotline at (785) 843-TIPS, or the Lawrence Police Department Detective division directly at (785) 830-7430.Police also want to hear from anyone who may have been a victim of a similar crime. – Contributed by Janet Reid.