Bike Path Rapist

by Jeff Schober, Dennis Del Ano

For nearly three decades, a series of rapes and murders occurred around Western New York by a nameless, faceless man dubbed “The Bike Path Rapist” by local media.  Authorities had his DNA and knew his tendency to use a ligature, but could never capture the elusive criminal.  His first known attacks were in the mid-1980s, continuing regularly through 1994.  After a twelve-year gap, in September 2006, he returned by strangling and killing a 45-year-old mother along a rural bike path.

While investigating the case, Buffalo Homicide Detective and task force member Dennis Delano reviewed unsolved rape cases from the past thirty years.  He concluded that the Bike Path Rapist’s span of attacks stretched back even further, into the 1970s.  Delano learned that a different man, Anthony Capozzi, had been convicted of two rapes in 1985 and was still imprisoned 22 years later.  Members of the task force interviewed Capozzi, who is schizophrenic.  Delano and his colleagues believed the wrong man was in jail, but had no hard evidence to secure a release. After working tirelessly on behalf of a convicted man, DNA slides were discovered at a local medical center.  Capozzi was exonerated and released before Easter 2007.

 

Bike Path Rapist: A Cop's Firsthand Account of Catching the Killer Who Terrorized a Community will examine the complex and compelling story inside the investigation of a thirty-year string of serial rapes and killings.  With detailed information culled from interviews, police reports and insights from Delano and his colleagues on an elite task force that solved the crime, the book will blend the drama of Cold Case and CSI with a behind-the-scenes look at investigative techniques and angles examined by investigators. 

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Book Club, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jeff Schober is a writer and teacher from Buffalo, N.Y., who writes frequently about issues in and around Western New York.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are from WNY you should read this book. Even if you think you recall all the details you will find out things you didn't know. If you are not from WNY you will find the events hard to believe, but it's all true.

[Seth Hendershot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough publicity for Buffalo

[Kat O · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy lived down the street from me until we moved when I was 9. I played with his children and had Sunday Bill football parties at his house. He and his wife played in a freaking softball league with my neighbors. I am so intrigued by his double life and the crimes he committed. Riveting to me so far.

---

Ok after reading it--it wasn't exactly a thrilling novel for the average person, but it was for me since I had personal contact with this man growing up. I can see how some people might think it is poorly written due to it's simple nature, but I don't think it was exactly supposed to be an academically stimulating read. I think the tactic that the author took to not only examine this one man's crimes, but integrate the story of the officers involved,families impacted and the falsely accused victim as well (someone went to jail for 20 years falsely accused for Sanchez's actions). What I would like someone to write about next is how the wrongly accused man is actually typical of our broken justice system--how many other mentally disabled individuals are in prison rather than getting proper treatment for their needs? SO many! I feel terrible for everyone involved and the impact this had on one of my favorite Western NY communities. Easy, interesting read.

[Shane Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff's narrative following of this investigation is scintillating and powerful, showing the impact on a shaken community and the decades-long struggle of multiple police departments to hunt and bring down a killer. Stepping into the killer's mind is a journey in itself.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

For nearly three decades, a series of rapes and murders occurred around Western New York by a nameless, faceless man dubbed “The Bike Path Rapist” by local media. Authorities had his DNA and knew his tendency to use a ligature, but could never capture the elusive criminal. His first known attacks were in the mid-1980s, continuing regularly through 1994. After a twelve-year gap, in September 2006, he returned by strangling and killing a 45-year-old mother along a rural bike path. While investigating the case, Buffalo Homicide Detective and task force member Dennis Delano reviewed unsolved rape cases from the past thirty years. He concluded that the Bike Path Rapist’s span of attacks stretched back even further, into the 1970s. Delano learned that a different man, Anthony Capozzi, had been convicted of two rapes in 1985 and was still imprisoned 22 years later. Members of the task force interviewed Capozzi, who is schizophrenic. Delano and his colleagues believed the wrong man was in jail, but had no hard evidence to secure a release. After working tirelessly on behalf of a convicted man, DNA slides were discovered at a local medical center. Capozzi was exonerated and released before Easter 2007. Bike Path Rapist: A Cop's Firsthand Account of Catching the Killer Who Terrorized a Community will examine the complex and compelling story inside the investigation of a thirty-year string of serial rapes and killings. With detailed information culled from interviews, police reports and insights from Delano and his colleagues on an elite task force that solved the crime, the book will blend the drama of Cold Case and CSI with a behind-the-scenes look at investigative techniques and angles examined by investigators.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey Jeff and Det. Delano--YOU DID IT!!!

Big, fat congratulations on this book.

Flat out, riveting. If I hadn't been so busy, I would have finished it up in a couple of sittings. I'm not usually a true crime gal, but because this is (god willing) as close as I'm going to get to crime in my backyard, I was very interested in reading it.

There wasn't a boring piece to the book. If you hadn't seen it played out on the news, you would think it was completely fabricated. The book read like Dateline.

Jeff illustrated the terrible injustice done to Anthony Capozzi all while keeping the frenetic pace. Det. Delano's perspective was as invaluable a piece of the book as it was in helping to solve the case.

And where, oh where, did you get access to Sanchez's thoughts? Were they all previous interviews? How did you get your hands on them?

Great book. Even if you're not from WNY it's a must-get. Truly unreal reality.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great read, a bit unnerving because it all took place where I live but good just the same. Jeff came to speak to a class I am taking and I thought the book sounded interesting and boy was I right! It was fascinating to have such first hand perspective to the investigation and from Sanchez himself, the unnerving part to be sure! I would recommend this to anyone who likes true crime stories, detective novels(it's cool to see how things actually get solved as apposed to a glamorized account) or lives in the Western New York area. It's rare to have such insight into inner workings of a police investigation and exactly how a serial murder gets caught. This story dominated local news for such a long time it was very interesting to get this prospective. It's a truly amazing story.

[Ophelia MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read for anyone who is interested in true crime. While in the end, evil is captured, this is not a story that ends in hope. It's a story how one man's decisions changed so much. How a serial rapist and killer became more then that. So many people's lives involved in this sad web. You cannot tell this killers story without telling the story of the sick, innocent man spent over twenty years in jail because of this. I enjoyed this read because it was short and to the point and respectful to everyone involved.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading this book with the general knowledge of the most publicized attacks, and the final outcome for the attacker. This book feels quite thorough in its detailed behind-the-scenes story of the processes the task force went through to solve the case. My only complaint is that the DA refused to be interviewed for the book. I feel that disregarded opportunity to tell his side, leaves the reader to infer all that is said about him to be true.

[Nick Schuessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when this happened, I've done reports on it. But this brought me to tears. A man was freed after serving 20 years in prison for rapes he did not commit and he and his family remained some of the kindest people in Buffalo

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never knew this happened where I grew up.

[Laurie]

Altemio Sanchez died in prison September 2023. The Devil called him home.

[Marianna Beadles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read true crime accounts, but this interested me because I frequently jog along bike trails; I wondered if it might give me some clues on how not to become a target.
It was facinating, and at times unnerving. It was a well put together account of the police tracking down a serial rapist/killer with first hand accounts from the officers involved (and a few accounts from the rapist). It was detailed without being too lurid, but given the subject matter, it can't help but be disturbing.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I remember this event when it was going on, this book went into much more detail. It was fascinating to see what was going on behind the scenes in the investigation. A bit frightening to think that groups of cops working together works as well as teachers and administrators working together. Sometimes you get what needs to be done accomplished, but it seems like there are so many missed opportunities and distracting personality clashes.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book it was a good look into what the police do to find criminals. The operation of how things work and how pieces start to fit together. It was also interesting to learn how the police make mistakes and dont like to confess to them.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really intense and insane in that it happened within a mile of my house during the time when I was routinely biking, running and rollerblading on this very path. Who know, this guy might have seen me through the woods and ignored me since I was male. Creepy x1000000

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed to tell the story without a lot of gritty details. I was really hoping for more in-depth coverage.
The Amherst PD, current and former Erie County DA and Buffalo Police brass came out with less than stellar reviews.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I very rarely leave books unfinished, but this is one of them. Perhaps it was my misguided expectation for a look into the mind of a serial rapist/murder... But I felt this book was unorganized and extremely boring.

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!
I live in the WNY area and have run on this bike path quite a few times. So, that made the story that much more interesting. A good amount of detail given. Good writing. I definitely recommend for any true crime fan and for any WNYer.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed "The Bike Path Killer" more, but this was very good too. It did have some different information. I highly recommend reading them both.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of details that I thought could have better been explained about the sub

[cc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

I have read 1000 true crime books and this ranks in my top 5. I am in awe of the detective in this case and his empathy and determination.