Cold Case Investigators travel to Wisconsin to interview a possible suspect connected to a 1998 rape case

INDIANAPOLIS – On September 2, 1998, Deputy’s with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 8600 block of Rook Road on the report of a rape. The victim spoke to Deputy’s and evidence was collected from the scene.

On December 2, 2015, Investigators in the IMPD Cold Case Unit, working a cold case grant, submitted paperwork for DNA testing on evidence from a September 1998 rape case (i.e., MCSD 9841626A). The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency was able to confirm the presence of DNA off of evidence collected at the scene in 1998.  This science was not available in 1998 for the MCSD or similar cases.

An investigator was assigned the case and rebuilt the file, which included interviewing the victim 18 years after the rape.  As a result, the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Agency (MSCO), was able to confirm the identity of a person involved in this rape by using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Investigators located the suspect in Wisconsin and applied for a local warrant to get DNA from the him. With the assistance from the courts and multiple Wisconsin law enforcement agencies, Investigators traveled to Wisconsin to obtained DNA from the suspect.

Detectives continued to speak to witnesses and people involved in the 1998 incident. Lastly, with assistance from the Marion County Prosecutors Office, Detectives were granted an arrest warrant for the suspect. Investigators, with assistance from the Hales Corners Police Department, and The United States Marshals, arrested Donald Thomas (54yrs.) without incident. He is currently in Wisconsin awaiting extradition. He has preliminarily been charged with the following: rape with deadly force, rape with deadly weapon (FA), and criminal deviate conduct amomgst others.

IMPD continues to urge anyone with information on similar cases or on any criminal activity to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS). Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards. Information given via Crime Stoppers should be considered anonymous.