Crime & Safety

DNA Match Solves Cold Silver Spring Rape Case

The suspect was identified in Texas.

 

A Silver Spring man now faces rape charges in a case that had gone cold for more than nine years, according to Montgomery County Police.

David Martinez, 30, of Silver Spring, was charged on June 14 with first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, first-degree assault, and kidnapping after DNA linked him to the crimes, police said.

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In March of 2003, a 23-year-old Silver Spring woman, parked her vehicle after returning home from work and observed a subject walking toward her, police said.

As the woman passed the suspect, he allegedly pushed her down and put her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, police said. When she woke up the suspect was sexually assaulting her, according to details released by police.

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The suspect drove the victim to —located at 807 Daleview Drive—and raped her, according to police. After she was released she went door to door asking for help.

Montgomery County Police arrived on the scene to assist the woman after they received a call from a resident who reported a woman, partially dressed, knocking on the door asking for help.

About eight years later, Martinez was arrested in Texas for an unrelated crime. The Texas Department of Corrections took his DNA and it was automatically entered into the national DNA database, Montgomery County Police Spokeswoman Officer Rebecca Innocenti said.

In July 2011, Montgomery County Police received notification that Martinez’s DNA matched evidence collected from the scene.

Before that his DNA wasn’t in the system and that’s why there wasn’t an earlier  match, she added.

Martinez was extradited from Texas over the weekend. He is currently being held in Montgomery County without bond and is awaiting trial.


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