'No Matter How Long It Takes,' Police Say DNA Links Jeffrey Wheat To 2003 Sexual Assault Case
ARLINGTON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - The Arlington Police Department arrested Jeffrey Wheat, 49, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Sept. 2003.
"On behalf of the Arlington Police Department, I am elated we can bring closure to the victim in this case," said Chief of Police Al Jones. "We will never give up hope to fight for victims no matter how long it takes."
The department obtained a DNA sample from the initial crime scene in the 2300 block of Weyborn Drive.
The sample was submitted for analysis, however, no match was obtained due to limitations in technology at the time. Through advancements in DNA forensic technology, evidence from the case was re-submitted to an accredited crime lab for further analysis. Investigators received information that DNA from the criminal case was matched to cases involving an unknown suspect in other local sexual assaults being worked in the North Texas region.
In December 2020, the primary Arlington detective assigned was contacted by the Plano Police Department. A detective in Plano provided information related to a suspect involved in a criminal case in their jurisdiction that they identified. An arrest warrant was issued by Plano Police Department and Wheat was identified as the suspect in their case.
In January 2021, Wheat was located in Crawford County, Arkansas and arrested. A search warrant was issued to obtain a sample of Wheat's DNA for direct comparison to other potential related cases. In February 2021, the Arlington Police Department received a partial DNA report connecting Wheat as the suspect in the 2003 Arlington case. An arrest warrant was obtained and served on Monday, March 8, 2021.
Investigators have continued to keep the victim up to date with the status of the case throughout the many years of this investigation. Wheat is currently being held in the Collin County Jail on one count of Burglary of Habitation – Felony Other than Theft.