Veteran Sacramento cop accused of raping 76-year-old woman

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Sacramento police arrested veteran officer Gary Baker on suspicion of raping a 76-year-old woman while off duty, the department announced Thursday.

Police say the woman was assaulted Nov. 24, 2010. Detectives collected DNA evidence at the scene, but no match was found. The rest of the investigation, however, was complicated because the woman had suffered a stroke, making it hard for her to communicate.

Investigators were able to get a description of the attacker.

The victim reported the same man attacking her again Sept. 20 of this year. Detectives were able to get more evidence. Police say Baker returned to the apartment a third time on Dec. 11 and attacked the woman again. Family members told detectives of possible surveillance video.

Police say investigators were able to recognize Baker, a 22-year veteran of the Sacramento Police Department, as the man in the footage. He was off duty during the alleged attacks.

Detectives say DNA test results matched. Baker was arrested Thursday and Sacramento police took the unusual step of firing the officer instead of placing him on administrative leave, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Baker is charged with rape, two counts of forcible oral copulation, an attempt to commit oral copulation, assault with intent to commit rape and sexual battery. Baker was booked into the Sacramento County Jail and is being held on $1 million bail.

Sacramento Chief of Police Rick Braziel said in a written statement that the incident does not reflect the rest of his department.

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-- Ian MacDonald, Fox 40 Sacramento