An alleged serial rapist, who reportedly mocked one victim by saying he gave her the sexually transmitted disease HIV, is off the streets of Philadelphia.
Ian Gabriel, 23, has been linked to four alleged assaults over the past three years, police say. He was arrested on July 9 after police say he raped a juvenile at an Oxford Circle barber shop, where he was employed part-time, two days before.
Following his arrest, Special Victims Unit detectives ran Gabriel's DNA through a database where it was a match for two rapes in 2012, officials said. The first happened on Feb. 15, 2012 in the Kensington section of the city. Then, about six months later in nearby Frankford, police say Gabriel struck again.
In that case, detectives say the man beat the female victim in the head and face. The injuries were so severe, detectives at the time said she was almost unrecognizable. He then ended the alleged assault by taunting her saying "Ha-ha, I just gave you HIV," according to police.
The victim was tested, but the results were not released due to privacy laws. Gabriel's HIV status is also unclear.
Gabriel is also accused of committing 2011 rape in Frankford. He was arrested for the alleged crime, but the case was dropped after the victim chose not to move forward.
Gabriel is being held on $500,000 bail in the city prison. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
A preliminary hearing is set for next August 14.
