A self-confessed serial rapist and killer who had murdered five people was arrested in Jilin Province in northeastern China, police said yesterday.

Lin Dexin, 37, admitted raping more than eight women and killing five others in Liaoning and Jilin provinces since January, police said.

Two college students were raped, robbed and killed in March and April. Police confirmed the attacks were carried out by the same person using similar methods.

Police narrowed the suspect's range to the boundary of the two provinces and began a manhunt.

Police in Siping received information on May 23 that Lin might flee to the city.

His photograph was pasted at Siping's major recreational venues and on taxis, while officers launched a probe into strangers staying at local residential compounds.

Meanwhile, two rape-slaying cases were discovered at Siping and neighboring Changchun City.

Siping police discovered Lin was in the city on June 11, and found out that Lin's father had reportedly rented an apartment for his son, which they tracked down using Public Security Bureau records.

When police broke into the apartment, they discovered him and a girlfriend. Lin told police he had returned to Siping to open a butcher's shop.

A DNA test confirmed Lin was linked to the earlier attacks.

Lin admitted at least 11 charges when he was arrested. He has been sent to Tieling City in Liaoning for further investigation, police said.

(Xinhua News Agency, Shanghai Daily, June 23, 2008)