DNA from coffee cup links man to rapes from more than 20 years ago

A Michigan man has been busted for two rapes that occurred more than 20 years ago — thanks to DNA from a takeaway coffee cup, authorities say.

Kurt Rillema, 51, is being held without bond in Michigan, charged with attacking a 22-year-old woman who was working at a food stand at the Twin Lakes Golf Club in Oakland Township in September 1999.

He also is being charged with the knifepoint rape of a 19-year-old woman more than 400 miles away at the 18th hole of the Blue Course at Penn State University 10 months later, in July 2000.

DNA left at both attacks had allowed investigators in the two states to link the brutal crimes in 2004, without flagging a likely suspect, according to affidavits obtained by WTAJ News.

But advances in DNA examinations paved the way for investigators to eventually narrow it down in January to three possible suspects — Rillema and two of his brothers.

Rillema — an “avid golfer” who was then 28 — became the key suspect because he matched the physical description given by at least one of the women.

Although his younger brother was a student at Penn State at the time, the rapist was described as being “older than college age,” and investigators believe Rillema was visiting his sibling when that attack occurred.

Police started surveilling him in January — getting a match to DNA obtained from a Styrofoam coffee cup he left at a car dealership last month.

“He left behind a critical piece of evidence, his DNA,” said First Assistant District Attorney of Centre County Sean McGraw when announcing the Pennsylvania charges against Rillema.

The suspect was arraigned in Michigan last week on charges of first-degree and second-degree felony criminal sexual conduct. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

In Pennsylvania, he faces felony counts of rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault, as well as misdemeanor counts of indecent assault, unlawful restraint, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

It is not clear when he will be extradited to face those charges.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Rillema is an “avid golfer” who has played around the country.

Rillema’s lawyer, Deanna Kelley, told C&G Newspapers that she is still reviewing paperwork in the case.

She stressed, “There are two sides to every story, and my client is looking forward to telling his in court.”