Man arrested in rape, kidnapping case

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Authorities say they have arrested a suspect in the kidnapping and rape of a 76-year-old woman on Thanksgiving morning.
     
A DNA match led to Thursday’s arrest of 27-year-old Francisco Perez, who allegedly committed the crime.
       
Police say the woman was attacked in the early morning hours November 22nd on the grounds of Alamosa Elementary School Campus. That is where the woman was taking her morning walk on the track.
    
Police credit Katie’s Law with the identifying Perez.
    
That law lets investigators collect DNA samples from anyone arrested for a felony in New Mexico.
     
Perez had given a sample after a prior felony arrest.

“He was on active probation, so we used probation and parole's assistance to apprehend him today,” Officer Oasia Martinez said. “It was simply a matter of identifying him, getting that match through DNA evidence, putting the pieces together and then getting him into custody.”
    
Police say the victim is very relieved they have made an arrest.
   
Perez is charged with rape, robbery and kidnapping.