Rapist Behind Bars Thanks to DNA

An accused rapist is behind bars after a DNA match links him to a crime four months later.

16-year-old Felipe DeJesus-Flores is being charged with the December rape of a 21-year-old UAlbany student in her South Lake Avenue home.

Police say a DNA sample was taken from the Mexico native after he allegedly tried to force his way into another young woman's home just a few blocks away from the scene of the rape.

"I put my key in the door and turned it, and when I did that, he came up behind me and pushed me and the door in, and I spun around and pushed him as hard as I could and slammed the door," said Melissa Tilley.

Tilley immediately called police, and when they arrived, the 16-year-old was still outside her door. Detectives realized he matched the description of a rapist from the December 10th, 2005 rape on South Lake Avenue.

Detectives took a DNA sample and three months later the results came in. DeJesus-Flores' DNA was a match to evidence taken from the December rape.

He is in the Albany County Jail without bail. The investigation continues into whether the teen is in the country illegally.

"I hope the girl down the street feels a little better knowing that he's not out there and he can't hurt anyone else," said Tilley.