Preserved DNA evidence from 1970s links police to accused serial rapist in Baltimore County
BALTIMORE - Baltimore County Police arrested a 70-year-old man accused of multiple rapes back in the 1970s and 1980s.
James Shipe Sr. has been charged with the rape of five women from 1978 and 1986. He is held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bond.
He was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree burglary.
According to charging documents obtained by WJZ, the first rape happened in September 1978 when a man broke into a woman's apartment in Cockeysville.
The suspect then broke into and allegedly raped four other women in their separate apartment units in December 1978; September 1982; May 1986; and September 1986.
All the incidents happened within a one-mile radius of each other, detectives determined.
Shipe Sr. was recently developed as a suspect after investigators combed through previous police records, which included information from victim statements and arrest records.
Search and seizure warrants were issued on June 13 to collect DNA from Shipe Sr. which were given to Baltimore County Forensics for analysis.
Forensic evidence collected under the Greater Baltimore Medical Center Slide Project was used to compare the DNA swab from Shipe Sr., which was a match, according to detectives.
The GBMC Slide Project is a collection of forensic evidence from sexual assault survivors starting in the 1970s by then emergency department physician, Dr. Rudiger Breitenecker.
The evidence was saved on microscope slides and then stored for safekeeping.
This practice by Dr. Breitenecker predated the standard protocol now known as a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam or 'SAFE.'
"While we know today's arrest cannot erase the harm Shipe inflicted upon The Survivors, the Baltimore County Police Department has removed a dangerous threat from our communities," Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said. "Our commitment to all The Survivors of sexual assault remains steadfast as the investigation into these crimes continues. We thank our many partners who have assisted in this ongoing effort."
The Baltimore County Police Department is asking anyone with information about other sexual assaults involving Shipe to call the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020.
Survivors who would prefer to speak with a victim advocate may contact the Department's Victim Advocate by calling 443-345-7587 or emailing aharkins@turnaroundinc.org.