Approximately twenty-nine years after a young woman was sexually assaulted in Chandler, a suspect has been arrested after DNA evidence links him to the scene.
On November 8, 1991, just after 10:00 p.m. a female was kidnapped at gunpoint and sexually assaulted at an apartment complex near Dobson and Frye Roads. A composite sketch was released, evidence was collected, and witnesses interviewed; however, no suspects were identified, and the case went cold.
A composite sketch of sexual assault suspect and photograph of suspect from the 1990’s.
At 10:17 a.m. on August 5, 2020, Chandler Police arrested Gary Robert Young at his home, located near 40th Street and McDowell Road. DNA linked Young to the 1991 Chandler sexual assault.
In the early 2000s, police sent evidence from the Chandler sexual assault to the Department of Public Safety Lab, where male DNA was identified. As standard practice in these cases, the DNA made its way into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). It did not reveal a suspect, but connected a second sexual assault case from 1992.
Chandler Police Detectives used investigative genetic genealogy, resulting in a list of possible leads. Young’s name was on this list.
In July, detectives from the Chandler Police Department surveilled Young. Through investigative techniques police collected Young’s DNA, sending it to the state lab, where his DNA was linked to the 1991 Chandler sexual assault.
Young, now 65, was 36 years old at the time of the assault and he and the victim were strangers.
Young was booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on multiple felony charges, including sexual assault, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and burglary.