Aurora Police Arrest Suspected Serial Rapist With Help Of DNA
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Aurora have arrested a man suspected of being a serial rapist with the help of DNA evidence.
Frank Fania with Aurora police said officers arrested Cameron Washington, 30, of Denver Monday night. He was wanted in connection with two sexual assaults and an attempted sex assault.
The incidents occurred in the 900 block of South Ivory Circle and the 800 block of South Chambers Road between Nov. 22 and Nov. 30.
Washington is being held on charges of first-degree sexual assault, first-degree burglary, felony menacing and theft.
Police quickly tracked down Washington to a home in Denver, where neighbors said he recently moved in.
"The first officer who arrived on scene actually saw Mr. Washington on the front porch smoking a cigarette," said Fania.
The swift arrest is unusual and a surprise, even for police.
"We joke around and we say things don't happen in an hour like on TV, but this is pretty damn close," said Fania.
"Aurora police detectives hand-delivered several pieces of evidence to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations to be tested and analyzed," Fania said in a statement. "CBI personnel immediately began testing these items, in order of priority, on the same date and worked through the weekend in an effort to identify the suspect."
Fania said the DNA evidence linked Washington to the crimes since his DNA was already in the system because of a previous felony conviction. He said the CBI made the case a priority.
"Once the suspect had been identified, things began to unfold rapidly. Our Gang Intervention Unit (GIU) and Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team (FAST), whom were off-duty, were immediately called-out so that they could begin the difficult task of locating Cameron Washington," Fania said.
Washington was currently out on parole.
"In a matter of a couple of hours, Washington was located and arrested at his home, in Denver," Fania said.
Fania said police are confident that Washington is responsible for all three incidents.
"DNA is huge, in this case and a number of other cases. I think it goes without saying that if we didn't have his DNA on file he'd still be running around the streets probably doing the same thing again," Fania said at a news conference. "Fortunately his DNA was on file and in a matter of a couple of hours we wrapped this case up. Otherwise we have an unnamed suspect."
Fania said Washington is suspected of breaking into residences while the victims were sleeping before they were assaulted. He said the victim of the attempted assault scared the suspect off.
