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Sergeant charged with 4 rapes in Illinois college town

By JIM PAUL
The Associated Press

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A police sergeant who was caught lurking outside a woman’s house was charged Friday with four rapes dating back to 2002.

Prosecutors say the attacker was armed with a knife in one case and a gun in another.

In addition to the rape charges, Bloomington Sgt. Jeff Pelo, 41, faces two counts of home invasion and charges of aggravated stalking and attempted residential burglary. His attorney said Wednesday after his indictment on the stalking and burglary charges that he was innocent.

Pelo, a 17-year veteran of the department, was arrested June 11 after the woman reported him lurking outside her home, and he was put on paid administrative leave.

The Bloomington area is home to Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities.

No details about the rape victims were immediately released.