Houston Man Nathaniel Rowe Accused Of Raping Woman, 82

HOUSTON -- Houston police searched Tuesday for a man accused of raping, beating and robbing an 82-year-old woman.

Nathaniel Rowe, 54, was questioned shortly after the attack in March, but released for lack of evidence, investigators said.

He is now considered the prime suspect after DNA results matched him to the crime, according to police.

Investigators said Rowe used to work for the victim as a yard man.

But in March, police said, Rowe broke into the woman's southeast Houston home, tied her up and blindfolded her before he raped and beat her.

When it was over, Rowe demanded money, police said. The woman did not have any cash, so he stole scratch-off lottery tickets he found in her purse, investigators said.

Rowe was picked up three days after the attack, but denied being involved.

"He was questioned sometime in March. He denied involvement and submitted DNA samples which were then later compared by the HPD crime lab, where we got a positive ID," prosecutor Donna Rogan said.

Rowe has not been seen since an arrest warrant was issued for him last week. Prosecutors said he should be considered extremely dangerous.

"If you'll rape an 82-year-old woman, you don't have any boundaries in my opinion. That's about as bad as it gets," Rogan said.

Rowe has a previous history of drug arrests, but until last March had never been suspected of violent crimes.