Arrest Made In 32-Year-Old St. Petersburg Rape Case

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – More than 30 years after a 39-year-old woman was raped, St. Petersburg Police have made an arrest.

On Dec. 12, 1986, at about 1:30 a.m., a St. Petersburg woman was home alone when a man broke into her house, implied he had a gun and raped her.

DNA evidence was collected and stored at the time. The case eventually went cold, with detectives renewing their efforts in 2006 without success.

Over the last few months, cold case investigators began looking at the case again and were able to match the DNA sample to Anthony Stokes, 56, of 1601 26th St. S.. St. Petersburg, who was 25 years old at the time of the rape.

He was arrested Friday, June 15 and charged with armed sexual battery.

Investigators believe Stokes may be connected to a number of other cases that occurred between 1986 and 1987.

Anyone with information should call St. Petersburg Police at (727) 893-7780.

Image via St. Pete Police