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Police Arrest Suspected Serial Rapist In Beaver County

BEAVER (KDKA) - Police in Beaver County have arrested a suspected serial rapist.

According to police, Jonathan Vance, of White Township, is suspected in 15 rapes over the last 15 months.

"We've had a task force operating since the end of July, trying to track down Mr. Vance," Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier said.

Pennsylvania State Police are in charge of the investigation, but several different police departments are also involved. Investigators say the alleged rapes took place in the Beaver Falls area, North Sewickley Township and Big Beaver Borough.

"This case would have never come together had there not been remarkable cooperation amongst the agencies," State Police Cpt. Eric Hermick said. "Each entity, or county, or township or borough had a little bit of information. Without the communication, it would have never been brought to fruition."

As of Wednesday afternoon, Vance is only charged with one rape. But, investigators say more charges are forthcoming.

"We do believe there are more victims out there that have been afraid to come forward," Cpt. Hermick said. "We're hoping that they will come forward now that [Vance] has been incarcerated, and we have an open investigation."

Vance was arrested at his home in White Township around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. His wife and several children were in the home at the time, and police say Vance gave them some trouble.

"He had a power tool in his hand with a flashlight in the dark," Cpt. Hermick said. "It was hard to see what he had. It appeared to be a weapon, we believed it might have been a gun at the time. But, we were able to apprehend him without any deadly force being utilized…He did resist arrest and failed to comply with directions that were provided, and there was a physical arrest made at the scene."

Vance was arraigned Wednesday morning. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

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