Rape-kidnap suspect sought by police

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police are looking for a man they say kidnapped and raped a 23-year-old Austin woman as she was trying to catch a cab near Sixth Street.

Police say Tyrone Robinson, 32, randomly attacked the woman in the early morning hours of Sunday Oct. 12, 2008. After a wave of random beatings, abductions and robberies downtown, police said DNA evidence has helped them narrow in on a rape suspect.

According to police documents, at about 2:30 a.m. just after the nightclubs had closed on Sixth Street, the victim was walking toward the Fourth Street area trying to hail a cab.

The victim told police she saw Robinson drive by her and make sexual comments. She ignored him and kept on walking. While in the 400 block of East Fourth Street, the suspect pulled in front of her and got out of the car. Police said the suspect grabbed her by both arms, wrenched them behind her back and forced her to the rear seat of the vehicle, and then activated the child locks.

Police said Robinson then turned the radio up loudly so no one could here the victims screams for help.

Robinson proceeded to drive to an unknown hotel north of the downtown area where he forced her into a room on the second floor. It was here that he repeatedly raped her, according to police.

The victim told police when she would try to scream for help, Robinson would put his hand over her mouth.  The victim pleaded with the suspect to let her go. Then, while driving away from the hotel, the victim noticed the child locks were off. So, while stopped at a traffic light at St. Johns Avenue and North Interstate 35, she ran from the car and hid in some bushes.

"A passerby saw her flailing her arms to get someone to come to her aid, he did, he picked her up and took her straight to the hospital," said Detective John Sevier, Austin Police Department.

At St. David's Hospital, a rape kit was performed and DNA evidence was found. The information was entered into the DNA indexing system and authorities found a match. It was linked to Tyrone Robinson, 32, through the Texas Department of Public Safety's crime lab. However, so far, authorities have not been able to find him.

"This guy has several felony convictions and we believe right now is in the Houston area," said Detective Sevier.

The victim later viewed Robinson's photo and identified him as the man who had kidnapped and raped her. The victim described Robinson's car as a white late-model Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300. This crime has shocked many that frequent the downtown area.

"I've come downtown several times, even when I was by myself since I was young, and I never thought I would have to worry about something like that," said Kristen Gonzales, Austin resident. "Now, it is just a reality check knowing it can happen to anyone."

Robinson was previously convicted in 1994 for burglary and assault. Police mentioned that he has quite a troubled past with the law.