POLICE have named a man suspected of abducting and raping two women in London as 33-year-old Joseph McCann, who has a slight Irish accent and is known to use aliases.
The two victims, aged in their 20s, were snatched separately in north London last Thursday, April 25 – the first shortly after midnight from a street in Chingford, and the second several hours later at 12.15pm from a street in Edgware.
The pair later managed to escape on a road in Watford, Hertfordshire with the help of builders who were working nearby.
Naming McCann as the prime suspect in the case this morning, the Metropolitan Police said he was "extremely dangerous" and a risk to the public.
McCann is known to has links to Watford as well as Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire and Ipswich in Suffolk.
He is also known to use fake names, most recently Joel.
Detectives have described McCann as being of muscular build and 5ft 10ins tall with blue eyes, a bald head or shaved blond hair and a light-coloured short beard.
He speaks with a "slight Irish accent" and has a distinctive tattoo of the name "bobbie" on his stomach.
The car he was driving is thought to be a silver or grey Ford S-Max people carrier, with false registration plates.
Detectives have named a man wanted in connection with the abduction and rape of two women. Based on information received as a result of an appeal, we believe the man is 33-year-old Joseph McCann https://t.co/C1U5XB5Tgj
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) 30 April 2019
DCI Katherine Goodwin, from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "We would ask anyone with any information about McCann's whereabouts to contact us immediately – McCann is considered extremely dangerous and a risk to the public and we ask people not to approach him, but instead call 999. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers.
"It is vitally important we trace him in connection with these offences.
"My team continues to work around the clock and we are making progress in furthering the investigation."
The victims, one of whom was reportedly pregnant, have been left traumatised and are receiving support from specialist officers.
Horrific attacks
According to reports, the suspect drove them to a hotel in the Watford area and unsuccessfully attempted to book a room there less than an hour after the second abduction.
They managed to escape by jumping out of the car in Osbourne Road, Watford at around 2.30pm before the attacker was seen dragging one of them back by the hair.
However, the woman screamed for help and managed to flee with the help of builders who rushed to her aid.
The boss of construction company Green Contractors Ltd – who wished only to be named as Alex – said the suspect threatened to kill one of his employees who helped the woman.
"He went after her really pulling her by the hair, when the girl started to scream 'help, help, help'," Alex said.
"One of my workers went towards the victim and shouted 'leave it, leave it' and punched the perpetrator.
"He released the girl and started to get into a fighting position to fight back to the worker".
Other labourers quickly came to their colleague's aid and one of the women managed to hit the attacker over the head with a bottle before he fled, telling the rescuer: "My friend, you're dead".
Alex said he believes one of the victims was Jewish, adding: "[The suspect] was very aggressive, they thought it was some kind of a domestic row.
"I'm very shocked how an adult can be dragged into a car like that."
Anyone who has information is urged to call 999 quoting CAD 3041/25Apr, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.
