KAMLOOPS – Police have been able to identify and arrest a suspect in connection with a sex assault case from 2009 with DNA evidence.

After issuing a Canada-wide warrant for Taylor James Howard Matchett on Nov. 25 the suspect was picked up in Edmonton the following day.

Matchett is charged with sexual assault involving a weapon and use of an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence.

Police began looking for suspects after a 25-year-old female was sexually assaulted at gun point in McArthur Island Park on Nov. 11, 2009.

A male suspect allegedly offered the woman a ride home before detouring the route to her home and attacking her in the park. He then fled in his vehicle.

Cpl. Cheryl Bush says in a media release the investigation remained ongoing, but police were unable to identify a suspect and they had no leads.

"The ongoing investigation failed to turn up the suspect until a recent DNA profile was identified through the National DNA Database,” Bush said.

Matchett is currently in custody but will be transferred to Kamloops for court.

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