PINE LAWN, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com)—
A rape suspect with a long rap sheet is behind bars tonight, held on a $5 million dollar bond. The victim is being credited with remembering key details that led to his arrest. The investigation may now include a local police officer. The suspect has felony convictions from New York where he served time. Pine Lawn Police believe he was planning to leave town after the Sunday morning assault. They got him before he got away.The suspect is identified as 36-year-old Bilal Flynn. According to police, a woman in her thirties told Flynn she was ending their eight month relationship. They were at a Metro East bar when she told him.
Chief Rickey Collins from Pine Lawn Police said, "Upon retuning from Centreville, he became angry, he fired shots from his vehicle in the presence of the victim. And threatening her."
The victim tells police the two drove from Illinois to a post office at North Kingshighway, where he tried to force her into a dumpster threatening to kill her. She allegedly talked him out of killing her.
He then drove her to the rear of a business in the 6300 block of Natural Bridge.
Chief Collins explained, "[He] assaulted her again, striking her several times with an automatic weapon. Raped her, threatened her, restrained her."
She was able to free herself and drive to a police station. Officers transported her to De Paul Hospital.
Police are also looking at the possibility that an unnamed police officer may have helped the suspect. The officer didn't work for Pine Lawn. The chief could not release any more details given the investigation is ongoing.
Police are confident the suspect is dangerous given prior convictions on drug and weapons violations in New York.
