Suspect linked to second rape

COSTA MESA -- Police have identified a man arrested Saturday on

suspicion of attempted rape as the prime suspect in the Sept. 16 rape of

a Costa Mesa woman who was forced into a car near Harbor Boulevard and

Bay Street.

Brian Daniel Laningham, 26, of Westminster was arrested Saturday

morning after he allegedly gave a 33-year-old Costa Mesa woman a ride and

later demanded sex at knifepoint. The woman, who escaped unharmed,

pointed him out to police as he drove by the bus stop where he had picked

her up.

Through their investigation, police now believe that he is the suspect

wanted for the Sept. 16 rape of a 26-year-old Costa Mesa woman, said Lt,

John FitzPatrick.

After forcing that woman into a car, Laningham allegedly drove to an

apartment complex parking lot in the 2000 block of Maple Street and raped

her. Laningham came under investigation for the Sept. 16 rape because his

description, car and method of operation matched those in the initial

rape, police said.

Laningham will be arraigned at the Harbor Justice Center today on

charges of kidnapping and rape, FitzPatrick said.

-- Elise Gee