Tyler Benson
A 23-year-old Ooltewah man who told police he had been reading about serial killer Ted Bundy and "wanted to be like him," has been charged with beating a known prostitute in the head with a hammer.
Tyler Benson, of 1757 Torbett Lane, is charged with especially aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and patronizing prostitution. He is being held on an $80,000 bond.
An officer said on Thursday he responded to a report of an assault at 1610 S. Willow St. He said he talked with Cynthia Denise Pittman, who said she had been picked up by a white male and taken near the Bojangles on E.
23rd Street. She said the man attacked her there.
Police said she had cuts on her arms, face and head.
Ms. Pittman, 39, was taken by ambulance to Erlanger Hospital.
On Sunday, the suspect in the case was seen driving around Highland Park in a red Chevy SUV. Benson, who was found to be driving the vehicle, gave police a statement.
He said he has been picking up prostitutes and trying to trick them into giving him free sex.
Benson said he had picked up Ms. Pittman and tried to rob her, but she began to fight back. He said he "did not like that she was fighting back and wanted her to be afraid and to do what he said."
He said Ms. Pittman "was putting up a good fight" so he pulled out a hammer and began to hit her in the head. He said at one point he and Ms. Pittman were fighting over a knife.
Benson also confessed "to attacking a number of unidentified prostitutes in the same manner as Ms. Pittman."
He said he "enjoyed the power he felt" while beating the prostitutes.
Benson listed his place of employment as the Auto Zone on Highway 58.
He is due to appear before General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell next Monday.