ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH)– Police in Athens say the suspect from a rape in 2006 and an attempted sexual assault in 2015 is also linked to another rape, this one in 2015.
DNA evidence from a sexual assault occurring on December 12, 2015 matches the DNA evidence from the suspect involved with the 2006 and June 2015 cases.
The sexual assaults occurred under similar circumstances, when the female victim walked home alone from the uptown area early in the morning.
“The investigation into this case, and related cases, is ongoing, and we are confident we will capture and bring to justice this serial offender,” said Athens Chief of Police Tom Pyle. “We encourage everyone, especially students, to stay alert and be upstanding and active bystanders.”
According to the Athens Police Department, at about 2 a.m., June 20, 2015, a woman was walking through a parking lot near the uptown area, when an unknown suspect approached her from behind and attempted to sexually assault her. Police said the suspect was scared away by other people walking in the area.
After obtaining DNA evidence during the investigation, and analyzing it, police said the suspect from the 2015 assault was the same from an assault that occurred in 2006.
In 2006, the female victim was also walking home from the uptown area when she noticed an unknown man following her. Police said when the victim arrived home, the suspect illegally entered the residence and forcibly raped the victim before running from the scene.
“There is a predator among us and that person needs to turn himself in. He need not victimize another person in our community,” Pyle said.
“We will find him. We have the DNA. You can’t run from DNA evidence so we will find him. It’s just a matter of time.”
Victims gave very similar descriptions of the suspect. Police are searching for a white male, in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, approximately 160 pounds, with short light-colored hair.
Police ask anyone with information on any of these cases to use the following methods: Call (740) 566-4208 to provide your information to an officer (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM); Visit http://www.ci.athens.oh.us/FormCenter/Athens-Police-Department-4/Crime-Tip-44 and complete a Crime Tip; or Call (740) 592-3313.
If you believe you were a victim of this subject, in addition to the previously mentioned methods for providing your information, you are also encouraged to visit http://www.ci.athens.oh.us/FormCenter/Athens-Police-Department-4/Have-You-Been-a-Victim-45 and complete the form. Crime tips can also be provided to Athens County Crime Solvers Anonymous by calling (740)594-3331.
