DNA connects three assaults over three years

DNA evidence has lead to the arrest of a Saskatoon man in connection with three separate sexual assaults spanning three years.

Kelly Roger Furi, 28, made his first court appearance Wednesday morning on charges of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, and unlawful confinement in connection with the assaults.

Furi was charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm after a 16-year-old woman was attacked on McKercher Drive in July of 2000.

A month later he was accused of beating and sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman on 18th Street and Avenue "W" south.

Furi is also charged with a third attack several blocks away, on New Year's Day 2003, when police say a 20-year-old woman was sexually assaulted and held at knife-point in a semi trailer for five hours while being stabbed several times.

Saskatoon staff Sergeant Kelly Cook says DNA evidence played a big part in the man's arrest.

"There was DNA that had been obtained from the Dec. 31, 2002 attack and that DNA, in fact, assisted us in identifying the responsible party," Cook said. "In addition, the DNA that was obtained, a link was determined from the national DNA bank to a file from two and a half years ago in July 15th, 2000 where a 16-year-old had also been sexually assaulted."

Sgt. Cook is asking the public to contact Saskatoon police if they have information they believe may be connected with this case.