October 12, 2007

Donald Edward Pruitt was indicted this week on a fifth Cold Case Rape. The Mecklenburg County Grand Jury indicted Pruitt on a November 26, 1989 case (19891126015800) in which he broke into the Druid Circle residence of a 47 year-old female and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint.

This time last year, CMPD's Sexual Assault Cold Case detectives identified and charged Donald Pruitt with three rapes that occurred more than 15 years ago. Pruitt escaped NC Department of Corrections custody in October 2006 after being questioned about these cases. He was captured a month later in California and has remained in DOC custody since.

 "The publicity about these cases and his escape was instrumental in identifying Pruitt with a fourth cold case rape," said Detective Troy Armstrong. "A woman saw the news reports and contacted us because she believed she recognized him as her attacker from a 1991 case."  Pruitt was charged in that case this past spring.

A brief outline of each case is below.  We will able to provide further details in these cases after all of them have been adjudicated.  

19910720-043400    Polk St.
On July 20, 1991, the 31 year old victim was asleep in her residence when Donald Pruitt entered through an open window.  Once inside, Pruitt  threatened the victim with a knife and raped her.  He then fled the residence.

19911125-003800      Druid Circle
On November 25, 1991, the 60 year old victim was asleep when Pruitt entered her residence through an open window.  Pruitt then threatened and raped the victim before fleeing the residence. 

19910720043400        Polk St.
On July 20, 1991, Pruitt broke in on a 31year old female as she slept and then raped her at knifepoint.

19911012041301        Polk St.
On October 12, 1991, Pruitt broke in on a 16 year old female as she slept and then forcibly raped her before fleeing the scene.

19911123052400        Rodey Ave.
On November 23, 1991, Pruitt broke in on a 27 year old female as she slept and then forcibly raped her before fleeing the scene.

The CMPD Sexual Assault Cold Case unit along with the CMPD Crime Lab was able to review these cases and process evidence which was collected at the time of the crimes. Pruitt has been forensically linked to these five cases.     

CMPD formed the Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit in January 2006. It is staffed with two detectives and one volunteer whose main purpose is to review older cases with the anticipation of uncovering new leads that may point them to the identity of the suspect(s). 

Cold Case Unit Stats To Date:
148  Cases Reviewed    
  24  Cases Cleared        
  15  Arrests Made           
   8  Active warrants/indictments