In brief: Rape suspect appears in court

New Haven, Conn. – A man who authorities say lived a Jekyll-and-Hyde lifestyle as he sexually assaulted women from Virginia to Rhode Island over 12 years asked, “Why haven’t you picked me up sooner?” when he was arrested last week, a prosecutor said Monday in court.

Aaron Thomas, 39, wore sunglasses and a baseball cap as he appeared in New Haven Superior Court in Connecticut on a charge of raping a woman in 2007 in her New Haven home in front of her baby.

Prosecutor David Strollo said the unemployed truck driver described himself as having “a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” personality regarding women.

Strollo said Thomas made incriminating statements about his involvement in numerous rapes to a marshal.

Authorities say DNA from a cigarette butt confirms Thomas is the so-called East Coast Rapist.

Walmart greeter held in store heist

Charlotte, N.C. – Police in Statesville, N.C., say an 83-year-old man who worked at a Walmart store as a greeter is in jail, charged with donning a disguise and robbing the store at gunpoint Sunday night.

George Plane Jr., of Mooresville, N.C., was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon.

According to police, Plane was working Sunday in his job at the Walmart store. Sometime before 7 p.m., police say, Plane went out to his car.

Minutes later, a man wearing a disguise returned to the garden center area of the store and allegedly pointed a gun at an employee, demanding money from the cash register. Police say the man escaped with money, got in his car, and drove off.

Witnesses called police. The N.C. Highway Patrol and Iredell County Sheriff’s Office joined Statesville police in spotting the vehicle a short distance away. The man in the car surrendered after a brief standoff.