NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More charges have been filed against an alleged rapist after police linked him to a lengthy crime spree in the Germantown area.
Officials with Metro Police said 43-year-old Lamont Ike Starnes has been charged in the rape of a 22-year-old Gallatin woman. The alleged incident happened on Patterson Street early Sunday.
Detectives said Friday that Starnes is now facing multiple theft charges after he robbed three different stores over a nearly two-month long period.
Sunday's alleged rape happened on Patterson Street in Midtown just before 2 a.m. The victim told police he first asked for money, and then allegedly forced her into nearby bushed and raped her.
A medical bracelet with Starnes' name and date of birth on it was found at the crime scene. The victim was able to identify Starnes from a photo lineup.
He was arrested around 3:24 a.m. Thursday, in relation to another case involving the theft of $10 from a 29-year-old woman with whom he was walking.
NewsChannel 5 has also learned that Starnes is accused of robbing several stores in the Germantown area from June 10 to the end of July. He's facing a felony charge for one of those robberies after police said he stole $600 from a Family Dollar.
Investigators were able to link Starnes to the crime because he left behind another set of medical information at the scene. This time, several papers that reportedly had his name and address on them were discovered.
He has multiple prior convictions for crimes, including especially aggravated robbery, facilitation of robbery, felony cocaine possession and vandalism.
Starnes was held on a more than $100,000 bond. Additional charges were said to be pending.
Authorities believe he could be linked to other sexual assaults. Police urge anyone with additional information on Starnes to contact Metro Police's Sex Crimes Unit at 615-862-7540.
