Van, knife recovered in ‘real estate rape’

DOVER, N.H. – Police have recovered a blue minivan driven by a man accused of raping a 19-year-old woman while he purportedly shopped for a home.

The vehicle and a knife they think the man used to threaten the woman were found at a motel parking lot in Tewksbury, Mass., on Friday.

Police arrested Oliver Hooper, 34, of Gorham, Maine, last week. He faces two counts of rape.

Since his arrest, another six women from Maine and Massachusetts have come forward saying a man fitting the rapist’s description approached them, police say.

At least 10 other women have reported being approached.

Police said Hooper visited homes posing as a prospective buyer.

Sondik Supply Co. of Portland, Maine, owns the van, which was used by Hooper while he worked as a salesman for the heating and plumbing supply company.

Hooper is in jail for lack of $500,000 bail.