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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Special Victims Unit detectives and VCAT officers arrested Gilbert McNair in reference to four rapes which occurred from 1990 – 1997.The efforts of CMPD Burglary East Unit, CMPD Crime Lab and the Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit identified Gilbert McNair as the suspect responsible for the following sexual assaults:
1990-----Wakefield Dr-----28 yr old victim
1994-----Crescent Ave----25 yr old victim
1995-----Emerson Dr------21 yr old victim
1997-----Crescent Ave----23 yr old victim
The CMPD and SBI Crime Labs linked DNA evidence collected from the four different scenes, confirming the same person was responsible for committing each of the sexual assaults. Then during a July 2008 arrest a DNA sample was collected from Mr. McNair. This sample matched DNA evidence from each of the four sexual assault cases. All four cases involved First Degree Burglary and Sexual Assault. Mr. McNair broke into the victims’ residences at night while they were asleep. The victims and Mr. McNair were strangers.
Detectives presented the cases to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office and obtained warrants for Mr. McNair’s arrest earlier today, January 15, 2009. After obtaining the warrants, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) arrested Mr. McNair at 1:17 p.m. VCAT officers were canvassing the 800 block of Woodside Ave when they observed Mr. McNair riding a bike. Mr. McNair was immediately taken into police custody. He was transported to CMPD headquarters where he is currently being interviewed by detectives.
Gilbert McNair has been charged with the following: 4 counts of 1st degree Rape, 4 counts of 1st degree Burglary, 3 counts of 1st degree Sex Offense, 1 count of Attempted 1st degree Sex Offense.