Accused "Ether Man" guilty in CO case

PUEBLO, CO (KRQE) - The man Albuquerque police said is the "Ether Man" rapist was found guilty in Colorado Thursday of spying on a woman in her home.

That is the case that ultimately led APD to Robert Howard Bruce.

The Bernalillo County's District Attorney's office said this gets them one step closer to having Bruce answer to 11 rape charges in Albuquerque.

Investigators said Bruce he used a chemical-soaked rag to knock out his college-aged victims in their homes near the University of New Mexico after stalking them.

Bruce is "a serial rapist who was attacking mostly UNM students for a number of years back in the 90's," according to Pat Davis with the DA's office.

Bruce has other trouble in other states, like the two peeping tom charges a jury found him guilty of Thursday in Pueblo, Colorado.

Bruce propped up a chair outside a woman's bedroom window and watched her.

He is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill the police officer who arrested him, to keep the officer from testifying.

Last October the officer discovered a propane tank had been rigged to blow up his home.

Police took a DNA sample from Bruce after that arrest, and APD said it matched the DNA from the "Ether Man" rapes.

The DA's office is anxious to get Bruce back to Albuquerque, but knows it could be awhile.

"You know the old saying, possession is nine-tenths of the law, well, in this case, it is really ten-tenths of the law," Davis said. "Who ever has him, has the right to adjudicate him first."

Davis said Bruce will not be sent to Albuquerque until he faces trial in Pueblo for the attempted murder charge and and a another rape charge there.

"Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for us, he has some really committed victims who are ready to see him back here in New Mexico," Davis said.

Bruce will be sentenced for the peeping tom case in October.

There is no trial date yet for his other charges in Pueblo.

Robert Bruce lived with his wife and kids in Rio Rancho in the 90's before moving up to Colorado.

Police said DNA has linked him to an "Ether man"-style rape in Austin, Texas as well.