HPD makes arrest in October rape

HERMISTON – Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston says his officers have arrested Andre Hale, 20, on charges of first-degree rape and burglary for a stranger-on-stranger rape that occurred in the 900 block of Southwest Ninth Street ,in early October. He said his officers were able to canvas the neighborhood and secured video footage of a possible suspect.

“Fast forward to late November and the same officer that took the initial rape case was on duty at approximately 4 a.m. and spotted an individual peering into the window of an apartment at the same complex,” Edmiston wrote in an email.

Hale was located and detained. Edmiston said the window he was looking into was the bedroom of a 6-year-old girl. He was charged with burglary and interfering with a police officer on charges of burglary and interfering with a police officer.

Detectives learned that Hale is on probation out of the Portland area for a sex crime. His parole officer was contacted and advised of the charges. At the time of his arrest, he provided Hermiston police with a DNA sample.

“That sample came back yesterday (Monday) linking Hale to our rape investigation from October,” Edmiston wrote. “Rape … is a heinous and cowardly crime. We are confident knowing Hale is sitting in the county jail and will face justice for the crime(s) we believe he has committed.”

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