What Leon County Deputies warned last month about a serial rapist, appears to have come true. "We need the information because this guy, he's out there he knows these places, he's staked them out prior to and we believe that there's gonna be more," said Lt. Kevin Ellis, in September.

Now, authorities believe a man who sexually assaulted women in Marquez, rural Bell County and South Texas is behind a weekend rape in Marlin, in Falls County.

Leon County Deputies, who are working with the Falls County Sheriff's Office, said the suspect broke in through a garage door around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, stole money and raped a woman in her late '70s.

Deputies said the crime is similar to two incidents in Marquez, one of which has been linked by DNA to a sexual assault in Yoakum. Officers also believe another sexual assault in Yoakum is related.

DNA from the same rape in Marqez was linked to a sexual assault in Zabcikville, in Bell County, where Deputies there believe another rape is also a match.

Last month in Leon County, the idea of a rapist on the loose in Marqez had women there understandably nervous.

"I started carrying it with me unloaded and on safety," said Marquez resident Cassandra McGinty, while holding her handgun, "Then when I get home, before I get out of my vehicle, I load it up and put one in the chamber and I have it in my hand before I walk in my house and I go through my whole house with it."

In all the sexual assault cases the victims were elderly women who lived alone in rural areas. The suspect broke in early in the morning while the women were asleep.

Because the rapist struck at night, the women have only been able to give a vague description of the suspect. In most of the attacks, investigators believe the man broke into the homes a few weeks prior to the attacks. Deputies said the man likely watches his victims for several days before he commits the rapes.

Investigators said the suspect probably has a routine that allows him to be away from home early in the morning. Anyone with information may call the Leon County Sheriff's Office.