Hunt For Child-Rape Suspect Keeps Kids Indoors
SOUTHBRIDGE (CBS/AP) — Children were kept indoors for lunch, physical education and recess in the Southbridge schools as a precaution Friday as authorities searched for a man accused of child rape.
Police say a child-rape suspect who became a fugitive after cutting off his court-ordered GPS device returned home to Massachusetts briefly and assaulted a relative before grabbing a gun.
Greg Lewis, 26, of Southbridge, has been on the run since Sept. 15, according to police, but he returned to his parents' home Thursday afternoon.
The superintendent sent a robocall to parents warning them an accused rapist was seen in the community.
"If your children are walkers please meet them at school at dismissal," the call said. "If they are bus riders, we'll make sure they get on the bus safely."
In the neighboring Quaboag Regional School District, the superintendent canceled after-school activities.
New surveillance footage was released Friday of Lewis inside a Connecticut convenience store about a half hour away, Southbridge police said.
Police Chief Daniel Charette told WBZ-TV Lewis assaulted his stepfather, tied him up, stole a 9 mm gun and ammunition from his family's home and left.
He is believed to be driving his parents' blue 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Massachusetts license plates 85GF63.
Charette said Lewis may have changed the plates and they have reason to believe he is no longer in Massachusetts.
The chief said Lewis fled the state last week and police believe he made it as far as Kentucky before deciding to return home for some reason.
Investigators consider him dangerous and say anyone who sees him shouldn't approach him but should instead call police.
The stepfather was treated and released from the hospital Thursday night.
Lewis was ordered to wear the GPS device after he was released on $1,000 bail at his arraignment Aug. 6.
He's charged with two counts each of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and statutory rape of a child.
At a Friday night football game in Southbridge, police increased their presence, and some admitted a feeling of unease with Lewis still on the loose.
"I don't believe he'd bother any random person," said Derek Casaletta. "But as a person who does have kids I believe this is a safety issue for the town of Southbridge."
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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