Suspect in Chicago Asian Sex Attacks Nabbed

M A N I L A, Philippines, Aug. 3, 2000 -- The main suspect in a series of sexual assaults on Asian women in and around Chicago has been arrested in the Philippines, a government official said today.

Immigration chief Rufus Rodriguez said Mark Anthony Lewis, 33,of Chicago, was arrested by immigration agents at a seaside mall.

Lewis will be deported tonight, Rodriguez said.

Denies Charges

Lewis denied any involvement in the attacks against at least eight Asian womenand a Hispanic woman in the Chicago area that began on April 7. The last attack was on July 19.

“I did not flee the U.S.,” Lewis said. “As for these chargesof me assaulting anyone, they are totally uncorroborated byanything.

“I surrendered because I didn’t want anyone to get hurt and Iwanted to prove my innocence,” he added. “If I was guilty, Ishould have kept hiding.”

He said he had family and friends in the Philippines and hisvisit had been planned earlier. Lewis arrived in Manila on July 21,two days after the latest attack.

Numerous Assaults

Lewis is suspected having posed as a census taker, a police officer, an FBI agent and an immigration officer to get into the victims’ homes and commit the attacks.

Chicago police said victims identified him through photographs. Lewis’ car, police said, matches the description of a car used by a man in one of the attacks.

Clothing and other items described by victims were found at Lewis’ last known address in Chicago, police said.

Authorities also said a search warrant of Lewis’ car yielded a gun, handcuffs and abadge.

Rodriguez said Lewis claimed his wallet was stolen two years agoand used by the attacker.

Undocumented Alien

A Philippine immigration document showed that Lewis arrived in Manila on July 21 from Japan for his second visit to the country. Lewis entered on a tourist visa, gave his U.S. residence as Chicago and listed his occupation as “customer service.”

Lewis’ passport was canceled earlier this week, after the FBI and Chicago police issued an arrest warrant for him. The canceled passport gives Philippine authorities a basis for arresting and deporting him for being an undocumented alien.

The Philippines and the United States have an extradition treaty, but it will not need to be used if Lewis is deported as an undocumented alien.

FBI agent Dennis Pierce said the bureau was “extremelypleased” with the arrest.

“We have every belief and confidence that this is theindividual we have sought,” Pierce said.