News Releases

Detectives Make Arrest in Potomac River Rapist Cold Case

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 14, 2019

Detectives from the Cold Case Unit of the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division, are announcing the arrest of Giles Daniel Warrick, age 60, of Conway, South Carolina, for a string of sexual assaults that occurred between 1991 and 1998.

Warrick was taken into custody yesterday, November 13, 2019, in Horry County, South Carolina, on the strength of an arrest warrant.   Warrick was identified as the “Potomac River Rapist” who was responsible for at least eight sexual assaults in Montgomery County, Maryland and two sexual assaults in Washington, DC., one of which resulted in a homicide.

This arrest was the result of a collaborative effort between the Montgomery County Department of Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, over the course of almost three decades.  We wish to thank the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Horry County Police Department for their assistance with the arrest.

Warrick committed a string of sexual assaults in Montgomery County where he would cut the phone lines, force entry into homes, cover the victims’ heads and sexually assault them.  These events occurred between 1991 and 1998 within Montgomery County, Maryland.

Based on the investigation, a warrant was issued for Giles Daniel Warrick charging him with six (6) counts of First Degree Rape under Article 27, Section 462 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  Warrick was subsequently arrested on November 13, 2019, at his residence in the 200 block of Oak Log Lake Road in Horry County, South Carolina.

Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims in the area given the prolonged period of time that has elapsed involving Giles Daniel Warrick.  Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

Questions regarding the homicide and events occurring in Washington, DC involving Giles Daniel Warrick should be directed to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Office of Communications at 201-727-4383.

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Release ID: 19-451
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: cold-case, sexual-offense, uncategorized