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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">COMMUNITY INFORMATION</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">October 26, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Christian Tabak
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.289.9516
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Toni Messina
<br />Communications and Outreach Supervisor
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7660
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police arrest suspect for first-degree rape, Oct. 26</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - On Oct. 26, detectives with the Columbia Police Department Special Victims Unit and Special Investigations Division arrested Travis Birkhead, 37, of Columbia, for first-degree rape and fourth-degree assault. Birkhead was arrested in the 2400 block of Broadway Bluffs Drive.<br /><br />On Oct. 22, Columbia Police responded to an assault in the 2100 block of Business Loop 70. There officers learned an adult female victim had been assaulted and raped. A thorough investigation was conducted leading to development of probable cause to arrest Birkhead. A search warrant was also conducted on Birkhead’s residence in Boone County in relation to this incident.<br /><br />This investigation is ongoing, and certain details have been withheld out of respect to the victim. <br /><br />The Columbia Police Department and the detectives of the Special Victims Unit remain committed to thoroughly investigating a
llegations of sexual assault and rape. Suspects of these crimes will be relentlessly pursued and arrested.<br /><br />If you know something, say something. Columbia Police are asking for your help. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652.<br /><br />To report a tip without including your name or contact information, call CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477). A tip that leads to an arrest or helps solve a felony crime could result in a cash reward.<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case number 2022-010510</strong></div></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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