From the beginning, it was the kind of cruel crime profiled in a television drama.
A man allegedly broke into a home and raped a woman at knife-point. He got away. But less than a month later, he's behind bars. And police say investigators used the same simple science often profiled on television.
"Obviously some T.V. shows make things happen a little fast," said Sgt. Jesse Garcia with the Minneapolis Police Department.
The time frame for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension may not have been as quick, but officials say they respond faster to high profile crimes involving strangers. Within weeks, they were able to capitalize on some critical evidence left at the scene.
"There were three or a few more blood droplets by the window where the suspect entered the house. So when he broke the window he cut himself and dropped just a small amount of blood," Garcia said.
Scientists took that blood, broke down the DNA and then searched the BCA Database. They found a match to 24-year-old Christopher Edward Karls. Karls' DNA first showed up in the database after he was convicted of burglary in 2002.
Karls has been arrested and charged with rape, burglary and kidnapping. It's the kind of development a neighborhood and especially a victim have been waiting for this last month.
"It's a huge relief for her and the neighborhood. The main thing you want is someone who violated you to be caught and prosecuted and sent to jail," Garcia said.
Karls' attorney -- Michael Colich -- said he's still reviewing the case but his client has a loving family that's supporting him through the process.
Karls remains in Hennepin County Jail.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
