WEST CHESTER TWP. — Authorities should know in a week to 10 days whether Michael Lagow is responsible for six rapes in Hamilton and Warren counties since 1998.

        But for now, investigators aren't sure. Mr. Lagow's physical description and some similarities among the alleged crimes make him a plausible suspect, authorities said. The rapist authorities have sought for two years also broke into homes.

Lagow

        At 6 feet, 220 pounds with a reddish goatee, Mr. Lago, 35, comes close to the description of the serial rapist who is white, 20 to 40 years old, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds and muscular.

        But officials in a task force trying to catch the serial rapist said Friday that many charac teristics don't add up.

        "There are a number of dissimilarities. He is just one of many suspects under review by the task force,” Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen said, a day after Mr. Lagow's arraignment.

        Police have accused Mr. Lagow of breaking into three homes in his Millcrest Court neighborhood on Sept. 19, Oct. 11 and Oct. 13, and molesting three girls — ages 8, 13 and 17 — while they slept.

        Mr. Lagow, who was released from probation in Hamilton County last month on a drunken-driving conviction, remains in the Butler County Jail under a $40,300 bond, awaiting a preliminary hearing Monday on charges of sexual imposition, gross sexual imposition, burglary and attempted burglary.

        Mr. Allen declined to elaborate on the differences in the cases, but earlier reports in the serial rape cases indicate they are significant.

        The serial rapist has striking blue-green eyes. Mr. Lagow's eyes are brown.

        In addition, the serial rapist — who attacked four girls age 6 to 14, and a 27-year-old woman — also wore a mask when he broke into homes at night in Colerain Township, Mason and Montgomery. He surprised his victims as they slept, and took four of them outside, where police said he raped them.

        Acting Police Chief John Bruce said the suspect in the West Chester crimes did not wear a mask. He did not rape his victims, but touched them and ran off when they woke up.

        Police have collected a saliva sample from Mr. Lagow to compare with the DNA of the serial rapist. They also have other undisclosed evidence, which is being analyzed at the Hamilton County coroner's lab, Acting Chief Bruce said. "It's a matter of wait and see. Either it will be him, or it won't,” Acting Chief Bruce said.

        The West Chester investigation led to Mr. Lagow after undercover police noticed a man trying to break into a garage in the Deer Run community of mostly rental homes. A police dog tracked the suspect to the general area of Mr. Lagow's townhouse, Acting Chief Bruce said.

        He said police began staking out the neighborhood after the Oct. 13 break-in. They initially didn't link the Sept. 19 incident to the others because it wasn't reported.

        "Residents told us there was a strange incident that occurred one month earlier with an 8-year-old girl. She came to her parents' room crying and said there was a man in her room. They thought she had a bad dream. They didn't realize what happened. There was no sign of forced entry,” Acting Chief Bruce said.

        Some residents said they still didn't feel secure in their homes even though Mr. Lagow was jailed. A couple of weeks ago, the community management sent fliers to residents, telling them to take precautions.

        However, Candace Hunter said she was never too worried. The 14-year-old walked her 1-year-old Rottweiler, Princess, in the afternoon sun, not far from Mr. Lagow's residence. “I wasn't very scared because I have her,” Candace said.

Poll sees firm lead for Bush in Ohio
Volume raises fear of delays
N.Ky store faces obscenity charges
Clark Montessori's trademark: Music
Differences mark suspect, rapist
RAMSEY: CPS levy
Deerfield finances worrying Warren
Hidden office camera proves dud
Tristaters set to Make A Difference
HOWARD: Survivor
Museum's ex-director honored
Nephew gets 15 years to life
Payment pursuit brings award
Candidates please business
Grand jury indicts suspect on charge of murder in fatal shooting
Homes get heating help
Information about sludge flows slowly
Ky. body sleuths turn to Web
Lynne Cheney visits Owensboro elementary school
McNUTT: Save Main St.
Naberhaus makes 3 in race for commission seat
Political yard signs allowed, for now
Politics makes the grade
Program helps low-income reduce home heating bills
School board race focuses on finances
Social event of year in Ky.
Teachers trained to fill in
Urban center gets funding
Vote on liquor disputed
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report