A breakthrough in a decades-old cold case has led to the arrest of a 71-year-old Michigan man, Jaman Mohammad Al-Jassi, in connection with a rape and kidnapping that occurred in Selma nearly 25 years ago.
Case Background
The case dates back to August 24, 2001, when a 24-year-old woman was kidnapped and raped from a store on Pollock Street in Selma. The victim’s identity has not been released.
According to the Selma Police Department, DNA evidence helped identify Al-Jassi as a suspect in the case. Police Chief Justin Vause stated that investigators began making progress with leads in January, which required an extensive effort to reconstruct the case file.
For nearly twenty-five years, this case remained unanswered, and for nearly twenty-five years, a victim and her loved ones lived without the closure they deserved, said Vause.
Al-Jassi was arrested in Michigan and extradited to Johnston County on Sunday. He is charged with rape, kidnapping, and sexual offense. He is currently being held in jail without bond.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
