DNA Match Points To Rape Suspect

Tulsa Police have identified a suspect in a child rape that happened 2 years ago, but they can't find the man. Tulsa Police got a break on the case through a DNA match with a burglar in Arkansas.

Wednesday, October 3rd 2007, 6:34 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Police have identified a suspect in a child rape that happened 2 years ago, but they can't find the man. Tulsa Police got a break on the case through a DNA match with a burglar in Arkansas. The only problem, by the time he was matched to the Tulsa case, the suspect was on parole and authorities don't know where he went.

The rape was reported in April of 2005 at the Meadows Apartments near 31st and Garnett in Tulsa. The suspect went in through an unlocked window and assaulted a 14 year old girl. He left only a few clues, including some DNA.

Tulsa Police put that DNA into a database in hopes that it would one day be matched to someone.

"This was a stranger case, and these are the cases that we are concerned about and this was a 14 year old girl asleep in her home and someone came in and violated her," says Tulsa Police Sgt. Gary Stansill.

The suspect identified through the DNA is 21-year-old Jamel Garner. Garner was paroled this summer from a burglary conviction in Arkansas. Police are looking for him in Tulsa, but can't find him and hope the public will help.

Tulsa Police are hoping they'll get some tips through Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.