Colorado Springs Police Find Suspect In 1997 Sexual Assault
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Colorado Springs say they have solved a cold case sexual assault with the help of DNA.
Police said on March 29, 1997 a woman got into an argument while at a bar with some friends. The woman went outside of the bar and was engaged in conversation with a man who said he witnessed the argument.
"When the victim got ready to go back into the establishment to find her friends, who were her ride home, the male offered to give her a ride home instead," police said in a statement. "The male drove the victim to the parking lot of her apartment and then asked to come in, however the victim declined. At this time the male became angry, physically overpowered the victim and sexually assaulted her in his vehicle."
Police collected evidence at the time but couldn't locate a suspect. This year a cold case investigator once again submitted the evidence to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for additional DNA analysis. The data was entered into an FBI database and investigators found a match.
Police identified Atlantis G. Michaelson, 41, as the suspect. He is currently serving time at a prison in Virginia but is scheduled to be released in December. Colorado Springs police obtained an arrest warrant to make sure Michaelson will be arrested when he is released.
Anyone with more information is asked to call (719) 444-7000; or call the Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP (7867), remain anonymous, and be eligible for a cash reward.
