Thursday, March 28, 2024

DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest in a 1986 St. Petersburg Rape Case

DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest in a 1986 St. Petersburg Rape Case

On December 12th, 1986, at about 1:30 a.m., a 39-year-old woman was home alone when a man broke into her house, implied he had a gun, and raped her. DNA  evidence was collected and stored at the time. The case eventually went cold, with detectives renewing their efforts in 2006 without success.

Over the last few months, cold case investigators again focused on the case,  and this time had a DNA match with 56 year-old Anthony Stokes, 1601 26th Street South.

Detectives arrested Stokes early this morning. He was charged with armed  sexual battery, and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

Investigators believe Stokes may be connected to a number of other cases that  occurred between 1986 and 1987.

If anyone has any additional information, they are urged to call St. Petersburg Police at 893-7780. They can also text SPPD + the tips to TIP-411.


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