WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — An accused serial rapist has been charged in connection with six attacks in the West Springfield area.
Ali Ghaffar, 20, faces numerous charges, including multiple counts of aggravated rape, rape and kidnapping. Investigators say Ghaffar would offer women a ride and drive them to a remote area of West Springfield, where he would sexually assault them.
The most recent assault was reported March 24. Police found a woman walking alone on the Massachusetts Turnpike around 9:50 p.m. That woman told police she had accepted a ride from a man in the area of Marble Street. The man drove her to the Bearhole Reservoir area, where he threatened her with a gun and raped her, she told police.
She described the attacker as a man in his early 20s, with long hair and a tan complexion.
Investigators identified several similar sexual assaults over the previous eight months. Police say they determined the car described by survivors belonged to Ghaffar and arrested him March 31 — as another woman was about to get in his car.
In a statement, the Hampden District Attorney’s office said investigators “stopped another rape before it could happen.”
“The suspect in this case was preying upon vulnerable women,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said. “While his conduct was becoming more frequent and bold, State Police investigators in my office and our local partners marshaled resources over mere hours and conducted an outstanding investigation knowing that women remained at risk. This rapid and formidable deployment occurred to protect the public from further harm. I am very proud and appreciative of all involved.”
Ghaffar is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on April 21. The district attorney is asking additional potential survivors to come forward and speak with investigators.
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