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According to a news release from IMPD, Larry Duerson was taken into custody on Thursday in the 3400 block of N Keystone Ave. on preliminary charges of kidnapping, attempted rape and strangulation.
The two attacks took place just six days apart near where the Monon goes over Fall Creek.
The first report was filed on August 8. Officers with IMPD’s north district responded to the Monon Trail on an attempted rape investigation that reportedly occurred that morning.
That victim described jogging over a bridge during an early morning run, when she saw a man standing near a bench on the side of the trail.
The woman jogged past the suspect, but seconds later, she reportedly heard footsteps behind her and was grabbed in a headlock, dragged into the woods and repeatedly punched and choked until she passed out.
Court records claim the woman recalled her attacker, believed to be Duerson, yelling. “I’m going to kill you” over and over again.
That victim believed she may have been sexually assaulted, but couldn’t be sure because she didn’t know how long she was unconscious.
Despite suffering numerous injuries, the woman wrestled her way free and ran back to the trail, where a Good Samaritan helped scare off the attacker.
On Aug. 14, officers responded to the Monon Trail again in relation to a second assault. The victim was reportedly attacked in a similar manner to the first incident.
The second woman reported being grabbed from behind, knocked to the ground and strangled until she passed out. That victim woke up and believed she was sexually assaulted because her underwear and shorts had been removed while she was unconscious.
“We’re thankful to the victims and Good Samaritans who were brave enough to come forward,” said IMPD Captain Shane Foley. “Today, Indianapolis is safer because the individual alleged to have committed these offenses is in jail.”
Police say DNA recovered from the fingernail of one of the victims was quickly tested by the Marion County forensics crime lab and linked Duerson to the two crimes.
“This was a senseless attack, and we’re thankful an arrest was made in this case,” said Foley.
“These were violent and senseless attacks on community members who were simply enjoying the Monon Trail,” Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey said in IMPD’s release. “Because of the dedication of our officers, detectives, the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency, and our partners, we were able to quickly identify and arrest the suspect. I am especially grateful for the courage of the victims and the Good Samaritans who came forward. Their bravery, together with the commitment of our officers, demonstrates the strength of our community and our shared commitment to keep our public spaces safe.”
Frequent trail users say the Monon is generally safe, but urge everyone who uses the trail to always be cautious around strangers.
“You know you need to be aware of your surroundings. I don’t know that I would go after dusk or go to a spot where you were by yourself,” said Brent Burke.
“The Monon Trail is widely very safe, but we encourage anyone who uses it to be aware of their surroundings,” said Foley.
According to the preliminary affidavit, Duerson told police he had schizophrenia and reportedly confessed to assaulting both women, but denied that he raped them.
Jail records show Duerson has a lengthy criminal history and has been booked into and out of the county jail 14 times over the last decade.
The suspect is now being held without bond for seven days pending the filing of formal charges by the prosecutor’s office.
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