Cops: DNA links parolee to rape of 79-year-old

A man released two months ago from state prison is now accused of raping a 79-year-old woman in April, Chamblee police said today.

Allen Lee Garner, 30, has been charged with rape, burglary and theft in connection to the April 26 assault, Capt. Ernesto Ford said. Garner was charged after the GBI crime lab confirmed that DNA found at the crime scene belonged to Garner, Ford said.

On April 26, the victim told Chamblee police she had been assaulted by an unknown man in the bedroom of her home, Ford said. Within 48 hours, investigators had identified a suspect. On May 2, Garner was arrested and charged with burglary in the case, Ford said.

DNA evidence was then submitted to the crime lab, which confirmed the match today, police said.

Garner is being held at the DeKalb County jail, records show. His recent arrest violated the terms of his parole, according to police.

Garner is a two-time convicted felon, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. He most recently was released March 7 after serving about 10 months of a five-year sentence on theft and entering vehicle charges, records show.

He also served time for about nine months in 2010 on theft and various other charges.