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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;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">November 26, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Colin Imhoff
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />235.202.9030
<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 in 2018 rape</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Nov. 25, police arrested Antonio Earl Bates, 58, of St. Louis, for his involvement in a sexual assault case in July 2018. Bates was arrested in the St. Louis area on his Boone County warrant that was issued for first-degree rape. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Police Department would like to extend a special thank you to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department F.A.S.T. team for their assistance and apprehension of this suspect. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652. To provide information without leaving your name or number, call CrimeStoppers at 573.875.8477 or visit </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://www.p3tips.com/899?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNTRjcXBNMjA2VVdSazBjZQEeWtTwMybJza38Tl4wSYajyJQTI_Zf713ElqkK6tBAocUUMi1BesJdZydP6eY_aem_xugvqyBs0iQiygoQc-5ZxA"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://www.p3tips.com/899</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If you provide information to CrimeStoppers that leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. </span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case Number 2018-008197</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Missouri statute:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">566.030 - Rape in the first degree</span></p></div>
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<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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