Authorities: Suspected serial rapist arrested in Austria has DNA links to 3 California cases

Man arrested in Austria accused of Calif. rapes

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Authorities say a suspected serial rapist has been captured in Austria after his DNA was linked to two cases in Southern California.

The Orange County district attorney’s office says Ali Achekzai, a 32-year-old Afghan national, was arrested this week in Salzburg.

Achekzai is charged with raping two women in Orange and San Diego counties in 2004 and assaulting a third two years earlier in Orange County. He faces 53 years and four months to life in prison if convicted.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Thursday that DNA taken after Achekzai was arrested on suspicion of rape last year in Austria was entered into an Interpol database. The DNA matched evidence taken from the crime scenes in California.

Authorities are seeking his extradition to the U.S.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a suspected serial rapist has been captured in Austria after his DNA was linked to two cases in Southern California.

The Orange County district attorney’s office says Ali Achekzai, a 32-year-old Afghan national, was arrested this week in Salzburg.

Achekzai is charged with raping two women in Orange and San Diego counties in 2004 and assaulting a third two years earlier in Orange County. He faces 53 years and four months to life in prison if convicted.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Thursday that DNA taken after Achekzai was arrested on suspicion of rape last year in Austria was entered into an Interpol database. The DNA matched evidence taken from the crime scenes in California.

Authorities are seeking his extradition to the U.S.