Man charged with sexually assaulting 5 women in Detroit

Michael Sykes accused in 2 cases, including 1 from 2008

DETROIT – A 21-year-old Detroit man was arraigned Wednesday on charges in connection with two rape cases, including one that happened seven years ago.

Michael Sykes is accused of assaulting and robbing two women during a March 2008 incident in an alley at Wisconsin and Cortland streets. He's facing two counts of kidnapping, six counts of criminal sexual conduct and two counts of unarmed robbery in that incident.

Sykes is also accused of kidnapping and assaulting three women on March 29 near Fenkell Avenue and Schaefer Highway. In that incident, he is charged with three counts of kidnapping, nine counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of armed robbery, three counts of felonious assault and a felony firearm.

Sykes was arrested Friday, and police said they have DNA evidence linking him to the assaults. Police also said they believe that he is the man in a sketch that was released after the assaults. 

At his arraignment, Sykes was denied bond and will remain in jail until his next court hearing, which is April 29. 

In addition to the two cases announced this week, Sykes' juvenile record includes two other sexual assault cases from 2008 and 2009. In those cases, he's accused of assaulting a 15-year-old girl and two women who were in a car at a stoplight.Â