Connecticut man Aaron Thomas arrested in 14-year-old case
(NEWSER) - US Marshals descended on a Connecticut home yesterday and emerged with the man they say is responsible for at least 17 rapes over 14 years up and down the East Coast. New Haven police today said DNA confirmed Aaron Thomas, 39, is the East Coast rapist; investigators reportedly got his DNA off a discarded cigarette. A Marshals' spokesman said a tip from Virginia authorities led them to Thomas. The East Coast Rapist has eluded cops since 1997 , with at least 17 violent attacks linked by DNA in Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The last known attack was in 2009 in Northern Virginia, on two teenage girls headed home from trick-or-treating. More»