For nearly three decades, a series of rapes and murders occurred around Western New York by a nameless, faceless man dubbed “The Bike Path Rapist” by local media. Authorities had his DNA and knew his tendency to use a ligature, but could never capture the elusive criminal. His first known attacks were in the mid-1980s, continuing regularly through 1994. After a twelve-year gap, in September 2006, he returned by strangling and killing a 45-year-old mother along a rural bike path.
While investigating the case, Buffalo Homicide Detective and task force member Dennis Delano reviewed unsolved rape cases from the past thirty years. He concluded that the Bike Path Rapist’s span of attacks stretched back even further, into the 1970s. Delano learned that a different man, Anthony Capozzi, had been convicted of two rapes in 1985 and was still imprisoned 22 years later. Members of the task force interviewed Capozzi, who is schizophrenic. Delano and his colleagues believed the wrong man was in jail, but had no hard evidence to secure a release. After working tirelessly on behalf of a convicted man, DNA slides were discovered at a local medical center. Capozzi was exonerated and released before Easter 2007.
Bike Path Rapist: A Cop's Firsthand Account of Catching the Killer Who Terrorized a Community will examine the complex and compelling story inside the investigation of a thirty-year string of serial rapes and killings. With detailed information culled from interviews, police reports and insights from Delano and his colleagues on an elite task force that solved the crime, the book will blend the drama of Cold Case and CSI with a behind-the-scenes look at investigative techniques and angles examined by investigators.
Jeff Schober has a journalism degree from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. A former journalist, he has written for several Western New York publications. He taught American history and Shakespeare in an alternative education high school for several years before becoming an English teacher at Frontier High School. In 1998, he was part of the National Endowment for the Humanities summer program, Teaching Shakespeare, in Washington DC. He has also acted in plays around Buffalo and in St. Catharines, Ontario. In addition to writing, he is an avid reader and hockey player.
Dennis Delano:
Grew up in and around Buffalo NY
Honorable discharge US Marine Corps
Paramedic certifications NY and LA county Ca
Paramedic/Fireman City of Santa Monica Ca.
Erie County NY Sheriff's Dept
Buffalo Housing Police
Buffalo Police Dept.,
Patrol div.,
Auto Theft/Arson Squad,
Major Crimes Unit,
Homicide Unit,
Cold Case Homicide Unit
As a member of the Bike Path Rapist Task Force, helped solve over 26 rapes and 3 rape/homicides that took place over a 30 year period in Buffalo and the surrounding areas with the arrest and conviction of Altemio Sanchez.
Helped solve one of the oldest Rape/Homicide cases (Barbara Ann Lloyd, 1974 (33yrs) in New York using DNA evidence
Helped obtain the release of Anthony Cappozi and Lynn Dejac, two wrongly convicted persons from prison after having served 22, and 13 yrs respectively.
America's Most Wanted "Top Cop" finalist 2008.
Retired from the City of Buffalo NY Police Dept.
30 yrs in Law Enforcement
Co-Author of the true crime book "Bike Path Rapist"
Written about in the book "In search of Ethics, conversations with Men and Women of character" third edition by Col.Len Marilla, on West Point cadet's mandatory reading list.
Interviewed in the book "Delayed Justice, inside stories from America's best cold case investigators" author Jack Branson
Appeared in Dateline's "In search of the Bike Path Rapist" Keith Morrison - Rayner Ramerez special
Appeared in Dateline's "A Common Thread" Keith Morrison - Raynor Ramerez 2hr special
Appeared in the Television series "Solved", Blood Relatives, the Barbara Ann Lloyd case"
Retired Cheektowaga Town Justice
Ordained non-denominational minister
Specialties: cold case homicide investigations
Interests: antique cars, music, acoustic guitar/ bass guitar
The Center’s book club takes place on the Second Thursday of the month and features books written by WNY authors. Whenever possible, the author will attend the meeting!
For more information, please contact Mary Kozub at 716-878-3156 or email kozubmm@buffalostate.edu.
View the 2016/17 schedule at www.BurchfieldPenney.org.