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New state law on DNA leads to arrest in 10-year-old rape

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By Doug Page, Staff Writer 3:47 PM Monday, November 14, 2011

ENGLEWOOD — Ten years after a 14-year-old girl was raped in her bedroom on warm spring night, police have arrested an over-the-road truck driver in the crime, thanks in part to a new state law.

“We got a hit last Wednesday on the DNA we collected at the crime scene,” Englewood police Sgt. Mike Lang said Monday.

Lang remembers the case well. Then a detective, he was called out at 3:30 a.m. on that April morning.

“We followed up on at least 100 leads, but got nowhere,” he said. “I always hoped we would clear the case before I retired.”

On July 1, a new state law requiring all those arrested on felony be swabbed for DNA.

On July 2, Miami County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 44-year-old Robert S. Bernardi in connection with the abduction of a 15-year-old girl. He was charged with aggravated menacing and unlawful restraint, according to court records. Under the new law, deputies collected a sample of Bernardi’s DNA. Three days later, he was released on bond.

Once they were informed of the DNA match, Lang said Englewood police immediately began tracking Bernardi, who was driving a semi from Ohio to the East Coast. He was pulled over in London and arrested. Englewood police brought him back to Montgomery County, where he was jailed under a $1 million bond.

He faces possible rape and aggravated burglary charges when he makes his initial court appearance Tuesday.

Lang said the victim was asleep in her bedroom when her attacker removed a screen from an open window, entered the bedroom and attacked her.

“It was a ranch-style house. It was a warm night, and all the windows were open,” Lang said. “The attack occurred while her parents and a sister were asleep. Another sister was on the phone, but didn’t hear anything.”

Lang said Bernardi had previously lived in the victim’s neighborhood but had moved prior to the victim’s family moving in.

“My first phone call was to her,” the sergeant said. “ She was amazed that after 10 years we had found her attacker.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2290 or dpage@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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