Southwest
Texas police identify suspect in nearly 30-year-old cold case murder using DNA left at scene
Investigators in Austin, Texas, have solved a nearly 30-year-old cold case murder thanks to advancements in DNA forensics, which helped match evidence left at the scene to the suspect.
On May 12, 1994, Bert Allen Mann was found fatally stabbed in the kitchen of his home on the 2500 block of Star Grass Circle.
The Austin Police Department said evidence retrieved from the scene suggested Mann returned home from work when he discovered a burglar had broken into the residence through a rear sliding glass door.
The two men got into a fight near the front door of the home until Mann was ultimately stabbed and died.
NEVADA AND COLORADO POLICE SOLVE 2 COLD CASES LINKED TO THE SAME MAN, 16 YEARS APART
Bert Allen Mann, left, was fatally stabbed on May 12, 1994, and through advancements in DNA forensics, the Austin Police Department was able to identify Kenneth Robbins, right, as the suspect. (Austin Police Department)
The suspect was also injured during the scuffle and left blood inside the home.
Over the next several years, detectives conducted an exhaustive investigation, which produced over 40 people of interest.
A blood stain sample taken from the scene was tested for DNA in 2005, and the result was a profile determined to be from an unidentified man.
TEEN KILLED IN ‘CATFISH’ MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT PLANNED BY ‘WORST OFFENDER’ SEEKING VIDEOS OF DEATH, CHILD PORN
Austin Police said they were able to identify a suspect in Bert Allen Mann’s 1994 murder thanks to advancements in DNA technology. (Andrew Brookes via Getty Images)
When the DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, no match was found.
Almost 20 years later, in March 2023, the profile of the unidentified man was sent to Bode Technology for forensic genetic genealogy, which identified a potential suspect who was not known to the investigation.
Detectives executed a DNA search warrant for the suspect’s DNA on Sept. 8, 2023, to compare his DNA with DNA found inside Mann’s home in 1994.
TENNESSEE STUDENTS UNCOVER ‘BIBLE BELT STRANGLER’ AS SERIAL KILLER CULPRIT IN ‘REDHEAD MURDERS’
Once investigators were able to identify Kenneth Robbins as a suspect through DNA, he was found dead. (iStock)
The suspect, who has been identified as Kenneth Robbins, was found dead in his work truck five days later in Weatherford, Texas.
Police said the DNA from Robbins matched, confirming he was the person whose blood was found inside Mann’s home.
FOX 7 reported that police said Robbins lived in Austin at the time of the murder.
An autopsy conducted on Robbins determined he took his own life, according to police.
“Mr. Mann is survived by his wife and his sister, and they are happy enough to have an answer as to the who,” Sergeant Melanie Rodriguez with the APD Cold Case Unit told the station. “I don’t know that they will ever have an answer as to the why. And I don’t know, quite honestly, if any of those answers would ever be sufficient for their grief.”
Over the last 29 years, more than 20 detectives contributed to the investigation of the case, along with several non-sworn employees.
Read the full article from Here
Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
Los Angeles, Ca
'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana
The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoMan wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
-
Detroit, MI2 hours ago‘I could have died’: 14-year-old speaks out after surviving shooting during ‘teen takeover’ in Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoDriver Who Raped Woman After She Mistook His Car For An Uber Convicted By Bay Area Jury
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoHouse fire on Dallas Court in Rockford leaves more than $100K in damage
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoWildlife officers investigate raccoon attack in North Miami
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoBoston Pride for the People Parade is set to step off, with history, protest in mind
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoHow a Christian Braun Trade to the Mavericks Could Help Nuggets
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoSeattle Hotel Workers Are on the Verge of Striking Ahead of the World Cup – The Stranger





