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DNA Links Man to 2002 Rape of Unconscious Teen
Photo by Gunnar Pippel via Shutterstock
DNA evidence has prompted the arrest of a 33-year-old Van Nuys man after he was linked to a 2002 rape, according to the Burbank Leader. Armen Shakhbazyan was arrested Thursday evening for his allegedly role in the rape of an unconscious 16-year-old girl at a South Glendale motel.Authorities tracked Shakhbazyan to an auto body shop. He is now facing "two felony counts of rape of an unconscious victim and willful harm or injury to a child likely to produce great bodily harm, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records."
The rape became a cold case when investigating authorities could not track down the teen's attacker. The victim had been able to recall very little about the rape because she had been unconscious. In May of last year, detectives with the Glendale Police Department were told that DNA collected from Shakhbazyan matched samples collected at the crime scene in 2002.
Arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday in Glendale.
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