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Benicia Man, 58-Year-Old Roy Charles Waller, Arrested In NorCal Rapist Case

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The man accused of terrorizing women in Northern California for nearly 30 years is now behind bars.

Roy Charles Waller, a 58-year-old living in Benicia, was arrested, authorities said in Friday's press conference.

roy charles waller mugshot
Roy Charles Waller's booking photo. (Credit: Sacramento Police Department)

Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said the arrest was made after a DNA match. Much like the break in the Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist case from earlier this year, the link from Waller to the NorCal Rapist case was made through genetic genealogy.

"There are genealogy databases, and once you put it into that GED match and you start working on family trees, that's what happened," said Sacramento County District Attorney Ann Marie Schubert.

Schubert later confirmed that the company they used for their genetic genealogy was GEDmatch, the same company that helped catch the suspected Golden State Killer.

"The answer has always been in the DNA," Schubert said.

norcal rapist sketch
Sketch of the "NorCal Rapist" released in 2006 by the Sacramento Police Department.

Detectives say the NorCal Rapist is linked to a series of sexual assaults between 1991 to 2006. The last known crime linked to the NorCal Rapist suspect is believed to have happened in Natomas in 2006.

"Today is the beginning of justice for the women living in North Natomas," said Councilmember Angelique Ashby.

Two women lived in the Natomas neighborhood have since moved out, but the arrest has brought relief to those who have lived in fear for so long.

One of the women provided a sketch to police at the time after she said the suspect attacked she and her roommate, tied her up at gunpoint, a raped her repeatedly.

"Every time he gets away with it, he will just become bolder and do more harm," said the victim in a 2006 interview with CBS13.

James Dann lived just a few doors down. His home security camera captured images of the suspect's SUV back in 2006. The neighborhood at the time he says was gripped in fear.

"My kids grew up scared that this guy would come back and that there would be repercussions because we had our video on there and everything," Dann said.
"It's so great that he's behind bars and a predator is off the street."

Waller was arrested as he showed up to work in Berkeley on Thursday, Hahn said. He had worked the same job at UC Berkeley for the past 25 years.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Sketch, Surveillance Footage Of NorCal Rapist Suspect Released (Circa 2006)

norcal rapist surveillance
Surveillance video that appears to have captured the NorCal Rapist suspect.

UC Berkeley released a statement saying there is no indication any crimes happened within their campus community, but they're still reviewing any open sexual assault cases. The school notes Waller has worked for their Environment, Health & Safety office since 1992 as a safety specialist.

Waller has been booked into Sacramento County jail and is facing three felony charges. He is being held without bail and his first scheduled court date is September 24.

Detectives are still looking into the possibility that more victims could be linked to the NorCal Rapist case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call (916) 808-1SPD.

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