East Coast rapist suspect headed to court Monday

The man suspected of sexually assaulting at least 17 women from Virginia to Rhode Island over 12 years is scheduled to appear in court in Connecticut.

Authorities say Aaron Thomas, an unemployed truck driver, is expected to appear Monday in New Haven Superior Court.

Police say DNA confirmed that Thomas is the man law enforcement dubbed the East Coast Rapist.

Thomas tried to hang himself Saturday in his cell and was returned to jail after a brief hospital stay.

The East Coast Rapist is wanted for 17 rapes and other attacks in Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia that began in 1997. The cases were linked by DNA.

It is not clear if Thomas has a lawyer.