Central Florida Serial Rapist Identified – Now He Needs To Be Found

Orlando, FL – A recent break in several cold cases, has led to the identification of a suspect by Orlando Police detectives.  During a joint press conference Thursday afternoon, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon identified the person who terrorized both Volusia and Orange counties between 1988 through 1998 as 61-year-old Leslie Renald Lagrotta. The problem? As far as law enforcement knows, no one has heard from him since 2010. Sheriff Chitwood didn’t hold back when describing Lagrotta and what he did to his victims.  “You’re looking at a serial rapist. You’re looking at a predator. You’re looking at a guy who stole from these women. He stole their sense of self-being when he committed these horrible, horrible acts and like the coward and scumbag that he is, he’s disappeared.” He said the Volusia Sheriff’s Office is offering a $25,000 reward for information on Lagrotta’s whereabouts. Chitwood ended with “We owe it to these women.” Lagrotta disappeared after being arrested by Daytona Beach Police in 2010. At that time, he was asked to submit DNA. Instead, he cleared his bank account and stopped any contact with family members. If anyone has heard from Lagrotta, or knows of his whereabouts, they are asked to reach out to us through the anonymous tip line, Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or www.crimeline.org or by calling our non-emergency line at 321-235-5300. Any new information can be the piece that can help bring this man to justice.