A Virginia man has been linked to two separate cold case rapes that occurred in Maryland nearly 40 years ago, according to police, who are concerned there might be more victims.
About a year ago, detectives in Montgomery County, Maryland, were alerted to a DNA match connected to one of the sexual assaults, which occurred across from the Friendship Heights Metro Station in Bethesda in June 1988, according to a Monday, February 9, news release from the Montgomery County Department of Police.
Specifically, the match came from the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System database and resulted in detectives identifying Carl Rice Jr. as a suspect in the 1988 assault, as well as another sexual assault that happened in September 1990, police said.
Now, Rice, of Mitchells, Virginia, has been charged with two counts of first-degree rape, kidnapping, two counts of first-degree sex offense, three counts of first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree assault, according to police.
Information on whether Rice had retained legal representation or entered a plea was not immediately available.
During the June 24, 1988, rape, Rice is accused of approaching a woman who did not know him at the Friendship Heights Metro station, according to police.
“The suspect forcibly pulled the victim across the street, where she was sexually assaulted,” police said.
The suspect was described as being around 18 to 19 years old, about 5-foot-eight, weighing between 150 to 160 pounds, “with a chubby face,” according to authorities.
More than two years later, on September 19, 1990, Rice is accused of introducing himself to a woman, who he allegedly offered to drive home, police said.
During the ride, the woman started to feel uncomfortable and tried to leave his car, according to police.
The suspect, now identified as Rice, allegedly “physically restrained her and refused to let her go,” police said.
He is accused of driving the woman to a location in Bethesda and sexually assaulting her, according to police.
The charges stemming from these incidents come as Rice is serving a prison sentence in Virginia, police said.
Authorities did not mention the reason for his current sentence.
Police did, however, mention that “he has been arrested previously in separate jurisdictions on charges related to rape and sexual assault.”
Further information on his alleged prior criminal history was not immediately available.
“Based on information gathered and the circumstances of these cases, detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward,” police said.
Both sexual assaults dating back to 1988 and 1990 happened close to the border of Washington, D.C., according to authorities.
As a result, Montgomery County police worked with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Cold Case Sex Assault Unit to investigate Rice.
Police are encouraging anyone with information relevant to Rice, as well as potential victims, to call the Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
