Man Charged In Loch Raven Parking Lot Rape: Police

TOWSON, MD — Investigators say there may be more victims connected to a man now in custody in connection with a rape that happened last summer in the parking lot of Loch Raven High School. He was also linked to a rape in Baltimore City, according to police.

Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Brandon Saunders, 29, of the 3900 block of Eierman Avenue in Baltimore, exactly one year after the rape in Towson. The assault occurred in a car.

Police said July 28, 2019, a woman had gotten into an argument with a friend and needed a ride from Baltimore City to a family member's home. As she was waiting for a bus, Saunders offered to take her, investigators said. While they were driving, she asked where they were going, since he was not headed the right direction, and he began to attack her in the car, officials reported.

Police said Saunders took her to a secluded parking lot near the back of Loch Raven High School in the 1200 block of Cowpens Lane, where he brutally raped and attacked her, threatening multiple times that he would kill her.

Police said the victim went unconscious during the attack several times but was ultimately able to get away and run toward Interstate 695 in hopes of finding help. It was around 4:30 a.m. when a passerby called 911 upon seeing her, bloodied and disheveled from the attack, police said.

A warrant for the arrest of Saunders was issued through the Baltimore County District Court Tuesday, records show, one year after the attack.

Police said officers arrested Saunders Wednesday at his home. A judge set bail at $200,000 Thursday. Saunders is at the Baltimore County Detention Center Friday, according to police. He was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree assault in connection with the July 2019 rape.

He is charged with first- and second-degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sex offense and using a dangerous weapon with intent to injure in connection with the rape in Baltimore from Oct. 13, 2019, records show.

Authorities said a common thread linked Saunders to the October 2019 rape in Baltimore City, where detectives have a warrant for Saunders, who is held on $25,000 bail in that case.

More Victims Sought

Police said Saunders was associated with three vehicles, and investigators released stock photos of them to encourage people who may have information about the case to come forward.

The three cars connected to Saunders are a 1999 Blue Mercury Grand Marquis, 2001 silver Oldsmobile Alero and 2003 black Chevy Malibu.

Anyone with information about the rape cases is asked to call the Baltimore County police at 410-307-2020 or Baltimore City detectives at 410-396-2076.

People may also send tips to Metro Crime Stoppers, which is a non-government organization. Tips sent to Metro Crime Stoppers leading to an arrest and/or indictment of a suspect may qualify for a reward.

To get in touch with Metro Crime Stoppers, send a text to "CRIMES" (274637) with "MCS" plus the tip; call 1-866-7LOCKUP; or submit a tip online. Tipsters may remain anonymous. They can also use the P3TIPS app to send information.