DNA leads to arrest in 1996 rape case

A 47-year-old man, not pictured here, faces charges in the 1996 rape of a sleeping woman in Far Rockaway, Queens.

FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS (PIX11) DNA found on a rug from the crime scene collared an alleged rapist suspected of attacking a sleeping woman in her bed 17 years ago, the Queens District Attorneys Office said Monday.

Richard Thomas has been arrested in connection with the July 28, 1996, cold case, the DA said.

The 47-year-old suspect, whose last known address was in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, was ordered held without bail on March 28 and is scheduled to return to court in June, the DA said.

He has been charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. If convicted, Thomas faces 25 years in prison.

Authorities said the victim was sleeping with her husband inside their Far Rockaway home the night of the attack. She was awakened by a noise and when she opened her eyes, saw a masked man allegedly Thomas standing over her, armed with a handgun.

The attacker threatened the victim, telling her not to look at him or make a sound, the DA said. Thats when the victims husband woke up, authorities said. Thomas allegedly told him not to look at him or he would blow his head off.

Thomas allegedly forced the victim out of the bed and onto the floor, where he raped her, the DA said. Before fleeing, Thomas allegedly wiped his genitals on the floor rug and a t-shirt evidence that was not previously tested.

DNA on the rug helped lead investigators to the suspect.

The discovery was made as part of the Queens District Attorneys cold case initiative, which began two years ago and is supported by federal grant money. The initiative aims to find untested evidence in cold cases dating back to 1996, which is as far back as the statute of limitations allows.

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DNA leads to arrest in 1996 rape case