DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A California inmate has been extradited to Broward County after investigators said advances in DNA technology helped solve the nearly 40-year-old sexual assault of an 85-year-old woman in Deerfield Beach.
Gregory Rollison, 60, was arrested Sunday and extradited from California, where prosecutors said he is serving a prison sentence. Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators said DNA evidence linked him to the July 1987 attack.
According to BSO, the victim was asleep in her apartment in the 300 block of North Federal Highway at around 2 a.m. when a man climbed the outside of the building, entered through a sliding door on an enclosed balcony and tied her up before sexually assaulting her twice at knifepoint.
“Our victim, an 85 year old woman was awakened at 2:20 in the morning by a male standing over her bed,” said BSO detective Andrew Gianino. “After his sexual assault he ransacked her apartment, took $25 from her purse, sexually assaulted her a second time before leaving.”
Investigators said the suspect then stole items from the home and fled, with the victim unable to identify him.
At the time, the case remained unsolved because investigators lacked the DNA technology needed to identify a suspect.” said Gianino.
Although detectives suspected Rollison after another violent attack with similar circumstances days later, they were unable to move forward without a positive identification or forensic evidence.
“With the lack of a positive identification and the absence of DNA, We were unable to charge him with the sexual assault of the 85-year-old victim,” said Gianino.
The investigation was revived years later by the detective, who was one of the original responding deputies in 1987.
“Looked back on this case because of the brutality of that crime. and I wanted to see if anyone was ever identified.” he said.
With advances in DNA technology and grant money to fund the work, detectives re-examined the evidence.
“I received the rape kit from our evidence, where it was housed. Submitted that rape kit to Jennifer Parker, our DNA expert.” said Gianino.
The science led to BSO ultimately identifying a DNA profile that matched Rollison.
“His DNA would later prove that not only was he in the victim’s apartment, but he was the person who had tied her up, beaten her, and sexually assaulted her,” said Gianino.
Rollison was already serving a nine-year sentence in California for attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.
“It’s so brutal and so disgusting that someone would do that to a poor lady late in her life,” said Gianino, “I hope the courts see it the way the rest of society sees it and I hope now he never gets out.”
During bond court Monday, Rollison waived his appearance. Prosecutors told the judge he had been sentenced in California before being brought to Broward County to face the cold case charges.
“In a case like this where I was on scene in 1987 and physically met the victim, and now all these years later she’s passed away, it feels like it went full circle, and we were able to provide her some rest, if there is such a thing for her,” Gianino said. “I think it’s really important for people to know and to maintain hope. So long as there’s DNA there’s always a chance.”
Court records show California authorities have placed a hold on him, meaning he cannot be released even if bond is posted.
Rollison faces one count of sexual assault and one count of burglary.
A judge found probable cause and set Rollison’s bond at $50,000 on the sexual battery charge and $80,000 on the burglary charge.
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