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Man arrested for rapes, attacks in Medford, Ashland Crimes occurred in 1997 and 1999 By JESSICA SMITH Police arrested a Medford man Wednesday, saying their search for the rapist who attacked six women in Jackson and Klamath counties is over. A two-week investigation by Ashland and Medford officers led to the arrest of Michael Brian Huyck, 34, of 700 Nobility Drive. Ashland Capt. Lisa Brooks said her department received a tip that they should look at Huyck in connection with the Nov. 3, 1999, rape of a 22-year-old woman who was walking alone on Gresham Street. "We think we've really got the guy. We're very confident," Brooks said, adding that she was unable to provide any details about the evidence against Huyck. Huyck matches the general description of a man who raped four women and attempted to rape two others between Jan. 11, 1997, and Nov. 3, Brooks said. She said there also is some physical evidence linking him to the attacks. The description of the rapist matched another Medford man who was charged in the Nov. 3 rape. But authorities dropped the charges against him in mid-December after DNA testing proved he was not the attacker. Huyck is charged with an attempted rape in Medford on Jan. 11, 1997; a rape in Medford on Jan. 17, 1997; an attempted rape in Ashland on Feb. 24, 1997; a rape in Ashland on April 1, 1997; and the Nov. 3 rape in Ashland. Charges stemming from the June 29, 1999, rape of a 14-year-old Klamath Falls girl are pending. Medford Lt. Tim George said his department served a search warrant Wednesday seeking a sample of Huyck's DNA. Warrants also were served to search Huyck's vehicle and his home for evidence. Huyck was arrested Wednesday at the Oregon State Police headquarters in Central Point after being interviewed by investigators. He was charged under a "John Doe" warrant that was issued to identify the suspect in two 1997 rapes by his DNA profile -- his genetic makeup. In five of the cases, Huyck faces charges of first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sodomy, first-degree unlawful penetration with a foreign object and first-degree attempted rape. Huyck was lodged Wednesday on $7 million bail in the Jackson County Jail. "This is a great grab," George said. "This is an example of outstanding work by the Ashland and Medford police departments in a cooperative effort to put this together." Ashland police received the tip on Huyck and his whereabouts from a citizen who saw a composite sketch of the Nov. 3 rape suspect that was re-released about two weeks ago. The tip led Ashland police to coordinate efforts with officers in Medford and the district attorney's office in Klamath Falls, where other rapes remained unsolved. "We're very pleased we've been able to solve these crimes. They were very disturbing for the community and for our departments," Brooks said. "We're relieved." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA