Minneapolis police use DNA sample to track down robbery/sexual assault suspect

Nathan Jones allegedly left his knife at the scene of the crime, and officers were able to track him down.

Minneapolis police apparently did some nice work in tracking down a suspect allegedly responsible for a May 24 robbery and sexual assault on the 1600 block of Fremont Avenue North.

On that night, a female victim called police and said that while sleeping she was awoken by a knife-wielding stranger. The stranger forced her to perform a sex act on him.

He fled the scene but left evidence behind, including a knife. Officers were able to extract a DNA sample from the weapon, and the victim was able to provide a detailed description of the suspect. The DNA sample ended up matching an on-file sample in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's database.

Police placed a photo of the suspect with the matching sample in a photographic lineup, and the victim singled him out as the person who perpetrated the sexual assault and robbery.

The suspect, Nathan Dwayne Jones, 41, has been charged with felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree burglary. He's in custody at Hennepin County Jail.