DNA leads Hermiston police to arrest in rape case

Published 11:37 am Tuesday, January 10, 2023

HERMISTON — Hermiston police arrested a 20-year-old man Monday on suspicion of rape after DNA evidence connected him to the crime from months earlier.

Andre Davin Hale was in the Umatilla County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary and first-degree rape.

Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said the case began in October, when a woman reported being raped by a stranger.

“Stranger rapes are very rare for our department, but like all other rapes, the crime is horrendous and something we take very seriously,” Edmiston said. “We did not have much to go on, but we were able to canvas the neighborhood around the apartment complex where the crime was committed, and did secure some video footage of a possible suspect.”

Then on Nov. 17, according to Edmiston and state court records, the same officer that took the initial complaint was on duty at about 4 a.m. and spotted an individual peering into the window of an apartment in the same complex as the prior case.

“The officer attempted contact, but the subject fled on foot,” Edmiston said. “Officers were able to locate and detain the individual.”

Police arrested Hale on suspicion of first-degree burglary and interfering with a police officer.

“Hale is on probation out of the Portland metro area for a sex crime, and his probation officer was contacted and advised of the charges,” Edmiston said, adding the window Hale was peering into was that of a 6-year-old girl.

During the processing of Hale in November, Hermiston detectives requested a DNA sample and Hale obliged, Edmiston said. That sample came back Monday linking Hale to the rape investigation from October.

“Rape, as previously mentioned, is a heinous and cowardly crime,” the chief continued. “We are confident knowing Hale is sitting in the county jail and will face justice for the crime(s) we believe he has committed.”

State court records show Hale faces trial in Linn County for first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree unlawful sexual penetration. The state alleges Hale in 2017, when he was 15, molested a girl who was 12. The court has set the trial for Feb. 1.