Man wanted in nearly 30-year-old rape case surrenders

Melton Chapman (Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office)

Melton Chapman (Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office)

A man wanted on rape and other criminal charges across metro Atlanta is now in police custody, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Melton Chapman turned himself in at Atlanta police headquarters Wednesday after DNA evidence from a rape kit linked him to the sexual assault of a woman in her 20s.

Police said the victim was sexually assaulted at the former Bowen Homes housing project June 22, 1989.

The attacker broke into the woman’s home through a window, covered her head and threatened to kill her if she looked at his face, police said.

Chapman has been charged with rape, Channel 2 reported.

“I didn’t get a sense of remorse of what he did,” Atlanta police Detective Ronald Sluss  told the news station.

Chapman waived his first court appearance Thursday. His next scheduled appearance is March 2.

Police said they are still trying to determine if Chapman is linked to any other sexual assaults in the metro area.

Chapman has been arrested 27 times on burglary, fraud and drug charges, among others, Channel 2 reported.

He was also wanted on charges in Johns Creek and Clayton County, police said.

No other details were released.