By tracking him down through DNA, police have arrested a Far Rockaway man who allegedly sexually assaulted a women at knifepoint during a robbery.
The Special Victims Squad was able to pull a DNA sample off of semen left on a rug in her apartment and match it to 60-year-old Ronald Baker, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Baker now faces 12 and a half years to life in prison if he is convicted of predatory sexual assault, first-degree criminal sexual act and first-degree robbery.
Prosecutors charge that on the afternoon of Feb. 27, Baker followed his victim to her home in a Jamaica apartment building. There, they say, he put a knife to her throat and pushed her inside the apartment—threatening to kill her unless she handed over jewelry and money.
After collecting four bracelets, a necklace and silver earrings, Baker allegedly sexually assaulted the victim—leaving behind semen on a floor mat in the apartment.
Police caught him after matching the DNA left behind with a sample from Baker on file with New York State.
“Although a wanted poster sketch was circulated in the days following the alleged assault, the defendant was apprehended when his own body betrayed him and police were allegedly able to link his DNA to evidence found at the crime scene. This case underscores yet again the crucial importance of DNA evidence,” said Brown.
