Gwinnett County

Police arrest man accused of attacking women

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned a man we once interviewed as a robbery victim is now accused of sexually assaulting several women.

Equeill Williams is now in custody facing several charges, including rape, kidnapping and armed robbery.

It was back in July 2015 when he told us what it was like to be robbed as he delivered a pizza in DeKalb County. "This is the end. I mean it was really scary," he said of the frightening encounter.

Now, Gwinnett County police say that instead of being a victim,Williams was the perpetrator,scaring and attacking women in Buford.

Rachel Kilgore was shocked to hear about a sexual assault Williams is accused of in a Buford shopping center.

"It's scary. Honestly. Considering I come to this area all the time," she said.

Police say a woman bought food from the Golden Buddha restaurant April 13, around 9 that night.

As she got to her car, officers say a man approached her and threatened to shoot her if she didn't get inside.

"When she got into the vehicle, she was choked by the suspect as he demanded her money," Cpl. Deon Washington said.

Officers say the man sexually assaulted her and ran away.

"Ooh., Lord.  Yeah. That's sad, man," one customer said.

Police say they were able to connect Williams to three other attacks within a mile of each other over an eight-month period.

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"Wow. That makes me want to go get some pepper spray," Kilgore said.

Investigators say they began to notice a pattern after investigating the restaurant attack.

A woman was groped at an apartment complex last August.

A woman was sexually assaulted at a Rite Aid in March.

April 4, a woman was assaulted at a Walgreens but fought off her attacker.

Detectives say they put their heads together and developed evidence that led to the arrest of Williams.

Kilgore says this is exactly why  she is extra careful. "You have to be very careful, unfortunately. Even out in Gwinnett," she said.

Williams is in custody and expected to make a first court appearance soon.

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