Tulsa Police Search for Rape Suspect

Tulsa sex crimes detectives are searching for Preston Johnson. He is considered the prime suspect in the rape of an 18-year-old Tulsa woman. Police received a warrant for Johnson's arrest Wednesday.

Thursday, September 16th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa sex crimes detectives are searching for Preston Johnson. He is considered the prime suspect in the rape of an 18-year-old Tulsa woman. Police received a warrant for Johnson's arrest Wednesday. They say he is known to carry a gun and should be considered armed and dangerous. The woman, who was attacked, had only lived in her apartment complex for a month. Police say she knew Johnson from the complex so she opened her door when he knocked. "He came over and asked if he could spend the night, which made her nervous," said detective Rod Russo. "She was going to see her boyfriend, so she decided to give him a ride when he asked for one."

Detectives say she drove Johnson to an apartment complex a few miles away. Instead of getting out of the car, police say he pulled a gun and raped her. "He forced her to drive back to her apartment and forced her at gunpoint again to have sex. Then he decided to tie her up," noted Russo.

It wasn't long before the girl's aunt became worried about her because she had never shown up at her boyfriend's house. She came to her apartment and knocked on the door and heard her niece yelling for help. When the girl's aunt entered the apartment, she found her still tied to the bed.

Police say acquaintance rapes are all too common when a woman trusts someone and that trust gets dreadfully violated. "She was not a willing participant in this," said Russo. "We're very lucky he left her alive." Detectives say Johnson stole the victim's car, a 1997 white, two-door Saturn with Oklahoma tag PLE-234. If you see the car, please call Tulsa Police.