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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 5, 2006 Cold case becomes top priority for Medford cops By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune In the spring of 2000, a 19-year-old developmentally disabled woman was kidnapped and raped at Foothill and Lone Pine roads. And though Medford detectives questioned several suspects, an arrest was never made. Now, more than five years later, police are hoping the suspect’s DNA sample will close or advance this case before the six-year statute of limitations milestone passes. "It is a cold case that frustrates us because we have the evidence, but cannot put a name to it," said Medford police Lt. Tim George. Physical evidence obtained from a sexual assault exam was sent to the Oregon State Police forensics lab in Portland. Lab work found DNA in the sample. It was then put into a statewide database and checked against samples provided by newly convicted sex offenders. The OSP lab is linked to a national database as well. So far, no matches. The original primary detective has since left the force, leaving it to Detective Bill Ford to close the case. Advertisement "The problem with this case is we had limited suspect information to begin with," George said. The suspect approached the woman in his vehicle at an east Medford shopping center and offered her a ride. He drove her to the area of Foothill and Lone Pine roads, where he raped her. He then dropped the woman near her home. Police say the suspect is a white man with a large build, dark hair with possibly some gray and a reddish-colored beard. He was driving a white, newer two-door vehicle similar to a Geo Metro. The vehicle may have contained/ a picture of a female in front of a house. At the time, police were confident the suspect was a local resident and that the vehicle may have frequented where the woman was kidnapped and raped. But a lot can change in five years, making it harder to identify the suspect based on physical description and vehicle-type alone. Police did not have a sketch artist at their disposal at the time of the incident, George said. Another thing working against police is the fact that their only witness — the victim — is mentally disabled and had just suffered a traumatic event. Her testimony was valuable, but it gave police few details as to who the man might have been. George hopes that police can soon present their case before a grand jury to be granted a "John Doe warrant" before the six-year statute of limitations mark arrives in May. Obtaining such a warrant will stop the clock on the statute of limitations. "It’s a make-able case we would be pleased to see come to a conclusion," George said. Anyone with information that might help can call Medford police at 770-4783. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Cold case becomes top priority for Medford cops ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement