Sketch of Robert Bruce from 1997
/ Courtesy: Pueblo District Attorney
Law enforcement officals say Robert Bruce may be the "ether man" rapist
By Rachel Welte
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 8:08 a.m.
Read more: Local, State, Crime, Community, Robert Bruce, Ether Man, New Mexico, Colorado Springs, Rape Cases, Morning Show, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Police
PUEBLO, COLO. -- A man suspected of raping 12 women in New Mexico and Texas over an 18-year period is behind bars in Pueblo.
Law enforcement officials there said Monday they believe Robert Bruce, also known as the "ether man," is responsible for the assaults.
They said Bruce was originally arrested last month when he allegedly tried to blow up a Pueblo police officer's home. That officer was set to testify against Bruce in a Peeping Tom case.
"The fact that we were able to solve a number of serial rape cases in New Mexico and possibly Colorado is tremendous news," Pueblo Police Chief Jim Billings said.
Billings said after Bruce was arrested for allegedly trying to blow up a police officer's home, they took a closer look and found Bruce used to live Albuquerque, N.M.
After contacting law enforcement officials there, investigators believe Bruce is linked to at least 11 rapes there. In fact, in one case they said they have DNA evidence confirming the link.
"There has been extensive cooperation between law enforcement entities in Pueblo and New Mexico in respect to this gentleman, and we intend to proceed on the charges that have been filed," Pueblo District Attorney Bill Thiebaut said.
Law enforcement officials said the "ether man" attacked his first victim in 1991 after breaking into her home in Albuquerque and rendering her unconscious with a rag tainted with chemicals.
Over nine more years at least 10 more women were attacked in New Mexico, all in the same manner. They said Bruce has lived in Pubelo for seven years and now officials believe he may have victims here as well.
"We are encouraging anyone who may have been a victim to come forward. We are looking at some cases currently that may have a connection, but there may be people out there that were victimized that never reported it," Billings said.
Along with DNA evidence, a sketch drawn back in 1997 was a second link to Bruce.
Law enforcement officials in Albuquerque have issued an arrest warrant for Bruce and have set his bond at $3 million. He will be extradited back to New Mexico after answering to his alleged crimes in Colorado.
Bruce is also suspected in a similar rape in 2006 near the University of Texas in Austin.
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