Police asking victims of suspected serial rapist to come forward

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WJBK) - A suspected serial rapist was back in court Tuesday now being charged with breaking into an Allen Park home then raping and robbing a woman.

"Huge sigh of relief because a predator is off the street," said Det. James Thorburn of Allen Park police.

That accused predator is 32-year-old Ikeie Smith, who was arraigned on five counts in connection to sexually assaulting a woman in November of 2015.

Police say he broke into that woman's home, robbed her, performed oral sex on her and then raped her.

It was said in court Tuesday that the defendant said he put a pillow over the woman's face and told her not to call police.

Back in November, Allen Park police say they collected DNA evidence but could not confirm Smith's identity.

His DNA was connected to seven other cases. Police say his method -- also matching roughly 34 cases since 2011 involving home invasions and sexual assaults.

Police say they quickly realized:

"Holy cow, this is a really big case," Thorburn said. "At that point we start to realize the pieces start to fall together."

Last year, Allen Park police formed a task force with state police and the FBI, along with several other cities they believe Smith has committed crimes, including Garden City, Livonia, Dearborn, Inkster, Southgate, Taylor and Redford.

Smith was finally caught Thursday in Farmington Hills and charged in connection with three rapes and home invasions thanks to surveillance video released in August.

"It's always down to one mistake and he committed the mistake in Livonia by showing up on a video camera," Thorburn said.

As there are so many open cases, police are keeping his face a mystery and asking anyone who believes they've been a victim of Smith to please come forward.

"There's a lot of women that had just horrific events happen to them because of one individual, and that individual needs to go away for plus, life plus," Thorburn said. "I can't imagine there's any reason why he would ever need to get out."

Smith received a $1 million cash bond and is due back in court September 26.

He faces life in prison.