New DNA evidence appears to link a 1998 Omak homicide and a 2006 rape and attempted murder to the same suspect, according to the Omak Police Department.
     Police chief Larry Schreckengast said the evidence, coupled with a profile of the suspect, could lead to someone calling the department with information to break the case.
     The cases involve the March 6, 1998, unsolved death of Sandy Bauer, 50, reported at 10 p.m. and a rape and attempted murder of a retired Omak woman reported at 10 p.m. Feb. 24, 2006.
     Schreckengast said new developments of DNA evidence (aided by the state crime lab) allow his office to link a suspect positively to the crimes. He said the identity of an alleged suspect is important now in order to exclude innocent parties and develop more leads.
     The police chief said about a dozen people of interest already had been eliminated as suspects.
     What the cases have in common, said Schreckengast, is that both victims lived alone, were outgoing, liked music and singing, and had family members also living in Omak.
     The suspect remains at large and potentially poses a continued risk to the community, said Schreckengast.
     The suspect is described as a white male with an athletic build who is believed to be in his 20s-30s, the police chief said. Because of the nature of the crimes, it is possible that part of the description, including the suspect's race, could be inaccurate.
     It is believed that the suspect has spent a considerable amount of time in, or is otherwise familiar with, the area of the attacks and that he frequently is out and about during times when most people are sleeping, said Schreckengast.
     "Citizens should know that people who know the suspect may not believe that he is capable of committing these crimes," he said. "He also may not necessarily have a violent criminal history."
     People are asked to contact Omak Police with any information, even if it seems unimportant or they think that someone else has already filed a similar report or the information does not completely fit with previously reported information, according to the department’s announcement.
     All calls and tips will be investigated, he said.
     Information on the unsolved cases can be discreetly and anonymously provided to the police department at (509) 826-0202 Ext. 131, or opd412@omakcity.com.