Convicted killer accused of raping downtown South Bend ambassador

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A convicted killer has been arrested and charged for allegedly raping a downtown ambassador in August, according to court records.

On August 21, 2022, the victim told police she arrived to the 200 block of S. Michigan Street for work as an ambassador for Downtown South Bend just before 6 a.m.

She said she got out of her vehicle and approached the entrance gate when a man approached her and asked if she wanted to go to breakfast.

She didn't recognize him but she was new to the job and noticed he was wearing the same clothing other ambassadors wore, a red shirt and khaki shorts.

When she hesitated to get into the car, the suspect assertively told her to get in, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The woman said she did so out of fear because there was no one around to help her.

Once inside the vehicle, the suspect threatened to shoot her and her family if she didn't comply with his demands, according to the probable cause affidavit.

He ordered her to drive to the west side and grabbed her shirt so it would be tight around her neck, reports said.

He also punched her while she was driving which tore off her hearing aids and glasses, reports said.

While stopped in an alley, he grabbed the victim's neck and throat and caused her to lose consciousness.

He then forced her commit sex acts and raped her, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The victim was then forced to drive to an ATM and withdraw cash from her bank account, reports said.

He then told her to take him to a certain location and he got out of the vehicle.

The victim went downtown and flagged down a South Bend Police officer to make a report.

At the hospital, a sexual assault exam was conducted and evidence collected.

Because of the violent nature of the crime, a rush was requested.

On September 20, Michiana Crime Stoppers released a surveillance video from downtown South Bend asking for help identifying a man in the video in connection with an assault.

On September 21, police were notified the DNA was consistent with Dennis D. Jones, 50.

Jones was featured on Fugitive Friday on September 30 and October 21.

Jones was charged with two counts of rape, robbery resulting in bodily injury, sexual battery, kidnapping, criminal confinement with bodily injury and strangulation.

He was on parole for a murder conviction. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison in 2002 on the murder charge.