The heinous 26-year career of the Bike Path Rapist concluded Monday when local police finally managed to bag the suspected culprit, Altemio Sanchez of Allendale Road in Cheektowaga, roughly four miles from UB's North Campus.
Destroying numerous lives and terrorizing several communities in Northern Erie County, including that of UB's, the rapist's flagrant disregard for human life claimed eleven victims, three of whom were murdered.
Thanks to this killer, families were torn apart, mothers and daughters were lost forever, and several others were left with permanent mental scars - all of this while the alleged Sanchez was afforded freedom: the freedom to rear his children, the freedom to earn a living, and the freedom to dine out with his family, which led to his ultimate demise.
Each year, UB's Linda Yalem Run is held in memory of the former student, allegedly murdered by the 48-year-old Sanchez. It is a reminder that we must stay on constant guard, for we may never know when our safety and wellbeing will be threatened. Interestingly, Sanchez had the nerve to take part in the Yalem Run just ten years ago.
Many of Sanchez's neighbors remain in disbelief, some insisting that the police have arrested the wrong man. Never did it cross their minds that the kind husband and father of two would be accused of murder. Sanchez potentially violated the tremendous trust placed in him by those closest to him.
In the end we can only hope that the bike path rapist is off our streets, however, despite Sanchez's arrest, those in the Western New York community ought not let their guard down. Copycat killers or other predators may still be waiting in the wings for the ideal opportunity to strike again, and this time it may be yet another UB student.
Students, take heed of the warnings posted around campus by University Police: walk with a friend, stay alert, stay alive.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
