Convicted rapist arrested for death of six in Cleveland

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CLEVELAND (AP) - A convicted rapist who fled before police arrived to arrest him on new rape charges was arrested Saturday in his inner-city neighborhood after police found six decomposing bodies at his home.

Police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho said Anthony Sowell was walking down the street on the east side of Cleveland when authorities spotted him and took him into custody.

Sowell initially denied he was the man authorities were looking for but admitted his identity as officers began fingerprinting him, Stacho said. Charges against him on pending.

Officers initially identified three bodies at Sowell's home, Stacho said. Powell Caesar, a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County coroner's office, said other remains were confirmed Saturday as three additional bodies, for a total of six.

As of Saturday had been performed on all six bodies but no cause of death or names were announced. Two autopsies were done Friday.