MORROW, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A judge has denied bond for a 24-year-old man who allegedly raped a woman at the Magnolia Woods Apartments in Morrow. Police are investigating whether Salih Mahdi is linked to other rapes and sexual assaults in the area.
Police accused Mahdi of punching the victim in the face, raping her, stealing her keys, then locking her in a closet.
"You did intentionally hit the victim in her face with your fists which damaged her eye socket you did this with the intent to commit rape. The fracture of the orbital socket disfigured her body," said Clayton County Magistrate Court Judge Betrice Scott.
Police told CBS Atlanta a maintenance worker at the complex spotted Mahdi looking suspicious Tuesday afternoon. He chased him and called police.
"He was behind him chasing him and at that point in time we made contact with him and that's when we noticed the subject was sweaty, breathing heavily and noticed something. There seemed to be blood on his arm. He said it was dirt," said Morrow Police Sgt. Larry Oglesby.
Morrow police called in Clayton County police. Clayton County police said Mahdi confessed to the rape. Police plan to investigate if there's a connection to other sexual attacks in the county.
"We do have other alleged incidents that may be involving Mr. Mahdi and we're working with multiple jurisdictions. We're going to do all we can to link any other issues or incidents that he may be linked to we're going to investigate to the fullest," said Clayton County Police Officer Chandi Ashmore.
People living at the complex are thankful Mahdi is behind bars.
"That's a good thing because at least we know one person is gone off the street," Kareema Hodge said.
Court records show Mahdi has a lengthy criminal history, including charges of sexual battery.
Police charged Mahdi with rape, aggravated assault, robbery and false imprisonment.
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