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Man Accused In Worcester Rape, Robbery Spree Held Without Bail

WORCESTER (CBS) -- A man who police say committed a slew of crimes from robbery to rape in a one-hour span Tuesday was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

Antonio Damon, 35, of Worcester, was arrested Tuesday at a Denny Street business, ending what Worcester Police referred to as a "crime spree."

Authorities said Damon was known to police, but would not elaborate on how--and said his attacks appeared to be random.

Police said they received a call around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday after a 27-year-old woman reported she had been raped at knifepoint at her office building. The woman reported that the attacker then took her car keys and ran.

About 15 minutes later, Police got another call of a kidnapping and carjacking. Police said that victim, a 21-year-old woman, was using Facetime on her phone with her boyfriend when she was forced into her Subaru Forester, sexually assaulted, and then made to drive.

After the Subaru was involved in a hit-and-run crash on Grove Street by Institute Road, the victim was able to escape from the car, which police later found empty in the driveway of a North Ashland home.

Worcester crime spree
The Worcester business where police say Antonio Damon's crime spree ended Tuesday. (WBZ-TV)

Police said Damon ran off to the Denny Street location, breaking into the business by smashing glass and sending some inside running to the bathroom for safety. Those inside say he threatened them with a knife.

Police say they found Damon crouching behind the counter and arrested him. They said he resisted, and threatened the responding officers.

Both female victims were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

It was very early on in the case that police knew they were looking for one man.

"Once they received the first call and then the second call, both victims had been able to provide a very accurate description of the suspect, along with a clothing description," said Worcester Police Sgt. Mike Hanlon.

Damon is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated rape, strangulation, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, breaking and entering, two counts of armed robbery, and assault with intent to rape.

He was arraigned in Worcester County District Court Wednesday. A judge ordered Damon held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

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