Fox29 WFLX TV, West Palm Beach, Florida-Condom found in sewer helps solve rape case

Condom found in sewer helps solve rape case

Reporter: Jana Eschbach

A dramatic find in an unlikely place. Police had to go searching in a sewer system to find crucial evidence to arrest two men accused of a brutal home invasion and gang rape.

Three men thought they were playing it safe leaving no evidence behind by using condoms. But detectives in Port St. Lucie say a condom is the evidence that actually proves this case.

The men forced their way into a Port St. Lucie home, duct tape a family's ears and eyes, tied them up with plastic restraints, and begin raping the woman at gunpoint.

And when it was over, they drove across town and robbed a South Bend home, as well. That was weeks before Gloria Richards moved in. "I had heard that police said they would not come back, but you hear noises. And at least they got them, and I am glad."

Police arrested Timmy Owens for that second robbery and his brother, Stardale Owens, for rape. Both are from Boynton Beach.

The evidence was found in the septic tank. "As we're looking down in, we see a few condoms floating with a few things in it. So, we scooped 'em up, and I had to dig in and pull the condoms out," describes Lisa Carrasquillo, PSL CSI Unit.

The rape was in April; it took six months for the crime lab to isolate and extract the evidence then create a DNA profile and get a match.

CSI Investigator Joel Smith says, "I'd say we got it. I'd like to say that is our man and the evidence will show that."

Lab result show Stardale Owens is the rapist. "There is a God - that science is such - that we can do this," states Chief John Skinner, Port St. Lucie Police.

And this science in a septic tank means relief for worried homeowners. "It's awesome, awesome they can actually get caught that way," says Richards.

The Owens brothers are two of three suspects wanted. Detectives are waiting on DNA results for the third man they've already identified.