RAVENNA, Ohio - A suspect arrested for attacking and sexually assaulting a jogger in Poland Township Park was arrested during a traffic stop less than a mile from the scene of the crime.

The Portage County Sheriff's Department has identified the suspect as Shawn Michael Wendling, 37, of Hillsville, Pennsylvania. Wendling is charged with one count of rape relating to incidents that occurred along the Berlin Lake trail in Portage County. 

Poland Township Police Chief Brian Goodin tells 21 News the suspect was stopped along Quarry Road and Route 224 at around 4 a.m. Friday.

According to Larry Limbert, Chief Detective of the Portage County Sheriff's Office, investigators were able to get a DNA match on evidence and identify Wendling as a suspect. 

According to officials, evidence collected at the scenes was compared utilizing specific, Familial DNA testing, which runs suspect DNA through the CODIS system. 

Investigators say DNA triggered a match to a family member of Wendling. From the time of that relative match, investigators took only 14 hours to identify Wendling and attain an arrest warrant. 

Investigators have not released the nature of who that relative may be, or why they were in the criminal database. 

From there, an arrest warrant was issued by the Portage County Municipal Court. Officers then went to Wendling's home in Hillsville, Pa. Investigators noticed Wendling leave his home and travel into Ohio, at which point he was stopped near the Poland Township Park. 

Limbert said during a news conference that Wendling was taken to the Poland Township police department, where he was interviewed. 

According to Limbert, Wendling appeared very relaxed and began to cry in the back of a police cruiser. 

Limbert reported that Wendling allegedly confessed to the crimes. 

Goodin says the man is suspected of sexually assaulting a 30-year-old jogger at the township park.

The Portage County Sheriff tells 21 News that two women riding bikes were literally grabbed off their bikes in two separate cases and then sexually assaulted and robbed along the trail. The months-long investigation began after the first assault on July 14th. 

In one of the attacks in Portage County, the suspect was wearing a mask. But the sheriff is convinced a white male, medium height and medium build wearing dark clothing, was scouting out female joggers and cyclists.

Officials say they believe Wendling was using trails that were located close to his daily route, which included traveling from Hillsville, Pa to his place of employment- Union City Steel in Canton. 

At least five summer attacks and sexual assaults at area parks are under investigation in the area.

There is no confirmation yet that the suspect may also be responsible for the rape of a 50-year-old at the Mill Creek MetroParks or an alleged rape at Packard Park in Warren. 

Wendling also allegedly confessed to an incident in Stark County Park District in which a woman was robbed. Police say there was "some touching involved". 

The victim, in that case, was reportedly able to fight Wendling off. 

Wendling is currently facing one charge of rape in the Portage County Municipal Court. Investigators say evidence will be forwarded to the Grand Jury for possible further charges. 

Investigators say Wendling does not have a criminal record. 

Officials say there is reason to believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward. 

Investigators say the investigation was a cooperation between several agencies including the Portage Sheriff's Office, Poland Twp. Police, the FBI, DEA, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Stark County Park District, Portage County Park District, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. 

Friday afternoon, the Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office issued the following statement: 

"When my office's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) began conducting familial DNA testing in Ohio in 2016, we reserved this scientific analysis for the most serious unsolved crimes and serial cases with a public safety component. The assaults targeting women in parks and bike trails in the areas of Portage, Stark, and Mahoning counties met all the criteria needed for me to authorize the use of this specialized DNA testing for this case.

"Our BCI scientists worked exceptionally hard to conduct this complex testing, which ultimately identified a potential relative of the unknown attacker in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). A team of local, state, and federal investigators then used that investigative lead to help pinpoint a suspect. Approximately 14 hours after the familial DNA testing results were released, authorities made an arrest. 

"I am truly grateful to all of the local and federal investigating agencies, as well as our BCI scientists, special agents, and criminal intelligence analysts, who dedicated themselves to this case. This is a strong example of our commitment to protecting Ohio's residents and holding sexual predators accountable. 

"My office will continue to assist authorities in this investigation."