DNA leads police to rape suspect

Forensic evidence from the scene of a sexual assault in Aurora matched DNA placed in a databank that came from an unrelated case in Ohio, leading to the arrest of a suspect.

Aurora police spokesman Marcus Dudley said Mohammed Abdislan Abdi, 21, is suspected of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman on Oct. 2 in a parking lot in the 1400 block of South Geneva Way.

At the time of his arrest, Abdi was being held by Denver police for investigation of felony menacing. He remains in custody at the Denver County Jail on $2 million baild.

Police are looking into a possible connection between Abdi and Travis Kirk Bland, 22, who was arrested recently in connection with the sexual assault of a 75-year-old woman on Oct. 11 in the 2500 block of South Worchester Court.

Forensic evidence was used to identify Bland who had been in jail on an unrelated theft charge.

There is a possibility Bland may be connected in the South Geneva Way assault because of similarities in the way the crimes were committed.

Bland is being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility on charges of sex assault and kidnapping. His bail also is $2 million.