DNA Links Suspect to Burglary and Assault Committed in 2002

Montgomery County detectives made an arrest after DNA evidence left at the scene of an assault was matched to a suspect, according to an official release.

In May of 2010, the Montgomery County Police Department was notified that the DNA profile submitted by detectives nine years ago matched Carroll Richard Leach, 70, of the 5900 block of Foote Street in Washington, DC.

The arrest took time because investigatiors wanted to examine the case for additional evidence to strengthen the prosecution, according to an official release.

Police officers responded to a report of an assault on Jan. 28, 2002, at the . When the 48-year-old victim's co-workers arrived they found her lying on the floor unconscious and suffering from blunt force trauma to her head. The victim previuosly told co-workers she planned to work in the office Saturday, Jan. 26. 

She was transported to a local trauma center where she was treated and released. An initial investigation, revealed that property was missing from the office and a burglary had also occurred.

Leach was served a warrant for first degree assault and second degree burglary and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on a $17,500 bond. 

He's scheduled for a court hearing on Oct. 14 in Circuit Court.