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2020 attempted kidnapping case closed thanks to DNA evidence

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Posted at 1:05 PM, Mar 03, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-04 05:54:28-05

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — An attempted kidnapping case from 2020 is now closed, according to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.

The incident happened at Naples Park on Nov. 10, 2020. Officials said a female jogger was forced into a van by a man armed with a knife. The woman was able to fight off her attacker and escape.

It was believed the man had attempted to kidnap other women in the same area.

Investigators found DNA evidence from the suspect. That DNA was matched to samples found at the scene of an attempted carjacking in Knoxville, Tennessee, in November 2021. Authorities say the DNA belonged to 36-year-old Aaron Bradley Stein.

"This case had been continuously worked for over year, nonstop," said Lt. Jason Wrobleski of CCSO's Special Crimes Bureau. "There were over 200 tips that came in. Every single one of those tips was follow up on by our detectives. Our crime scene bureau tirelessly looked at evidence and processed evidence. Thankfully for the solid work everybody did we were able to get a conclusion on this case.”

When Tennessee authorities tried to arrest Stein in December 2021, he fatally shot himself in the head.

“I am grateful for the diligent work of our detectives that led to the identification of the suspect,” Sheriff Rambosk said in a Facebook post. “I also want to thank the public for providing the Collier County Sheriff’s Office with valuable information during the investigation.”