Savannah-Chatham police say an anonymous tip led to the capture of a sexual predator who they say raped a Savannah teenager near DeRenne Middle School, and they are working to determine if that suspect is linked to previous sex crimes.
The Savannah-Chatham police department’s Special Victims Unit arrested Theron Hendrix, 23, for the Feb. 16 sexual assault of a Savannah teen. Hendrix has been charged with rape and aggravated assault, according to police. The incident happened behind an abandoned residence in the 440 block of Clinch Street, less than a mile from DeRenne Middle School.
Police say an observant citizen’s tip helped them arrest Hendrix. At about 6 p.m. Feb. 22, central precinct patrol officers responded to reports of a suspicious subject in the Clinch Street yard where the attack occurred. The suspect, identified as Hendrix, was arrested and charged with loitering and prowling as well as criminal trespassing.
Officials also served a warrant at Hendrix’s last known residence in the 1000 block of West 44th Street.
While investigating Hendrix, detectives also found possible links to a sexual assault of another Savannah teen that took place in an alley on the 700 block of West Victory Drive on March 1, 2015.
From Aug. 25, 2014, to March 2, 2015, SVU launched six investigations into previous sex crimes possibly involving the same suspect.
SVU detectives are continuing to work closely with the police department’s Forensics Unit and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab. Officials are analyzing DNA and other forensic evidence to determine any links between Hendrix and the other sexual assault cases.
These investigations are ongoing. Anyone with additional information should call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.