Lincoln Park Police arrest alleged serial rapist

52-year-old Elmore Nichols Jr. believed for several home invasions, rapes

LINCOLN PARK, Mich. – Lincoln Park Police have arrested a 52-year-old Detroit man believed to be responsible for a series of sexual assaults and home invasions.

52-year-old Elmore Nichols, Jr. was arrested after police were called to a report of a home invasion and attempted rape on Electric Avenue Saturday morning. The victim, a 64 year old female, was sleeping on the couch in her living room with the front door open and the screen door locked, when the suspect allegedly came through the screen door, waking her.   He reportedly lunged at her, getting on top of her on the couch and told her, "Don't scream."  She struggled with him and he eventually put a pillow over her mouth.  Fearing she would be suffocated, she fought harder, removing the pillow, and she did scream, waking the other members of the household.  At this point, the suspect ran out the front door.

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When police were called, a patrol unit was already in the area and saw a man that fit the description of the suspect on the caller's street.  Officers followed the black male, dressed in dark clothing, as he ran through the backyards to a black Dodge Charger parked down the block from the house he broke into.

The suspect was detained and his vehicle impounded.  A standard inventory of the impounded vehicle showed credit cards from other people, so search warrants were obtained for a more detailed search of the vehicle and DNA of the suspect.  Detectives following up on the recovered credit cards were able to link that evidence to home invasions in Farmington Hills. 

A fingerprint check showed the suspect to be a Registered Sex Offender, with a lengthy criminal history in other states.   His description, M.O. and vehicle match the suspects in home invasions and rapes in neighboring communities, and so he is under investigation for those crimes, as well.

Nichols was arraigned on charges of felony home invasion, attempted rape and receiving and concealing stolen property.  He was given a million dollar bond, sent to the Wayne County Jail, and is expected back at the 25th District Court on July 24 for his preliminary exam.

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