Seattle cop's gum trick leads to arrest in 36-year-old murder case

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on October 17, 2012 @ 6:54 am (Updated: 8:22 am - 10/17/12 )

AP: 8384421a-90c1-4cbc-93ec-a8255e74fa97
This booking photo released Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012 by the Maine State Police shows Gary Raub, formerly of Maine, who was arrested in Seattle Monday, Oct. 15 2012, for the 1976 stabbing death of a 70-year-old woman after DNA linked him to the crime. (AP Photo/Maine State Police) | Zoom
A Seattle detective's chewing gum trick has led to an arrest in a 36-year-old Maine murder case.

Seattle police report they arrested 63-year-old fugitive Gary Sanford Raub without incident in the University District on Monday.

Raub was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of 70-year-old Blanche M. Kimball in Augusta, Maine in 1976.

Maine newspaper The Portland Press Herald reports an undercover Seattle officer located Raub in Seattle's University District, and managed to get a sample of DNA from the man via chewing gum.

The officer reportedly asked Raub to participate in a chewing gum survey, and tests from the DNA in the gum were found to match samples from the 1976 murder case.

Sergeant Sean Whitcomb with the Seattle Police Department says authorities from Maine contacted them some time ago about the case.

SPD eventually located Raub on University Ave.

"You almost have to wonder how many hundreds of people walked past this guy not knowing he was a fugitive."

The Maine paper reports Raub was also accused in a 2011 stabbing in Seattle, involving another homeless man.

Raub is set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday.

KIRO Radio Reporter Kim Shepard contributed to this report.

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report
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Comments (10)


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  • Bloodsurf69 wrote...
    Ugg!
    October 17, 2012 7:24 am
    From the looks of that photo, he will be better off in prison.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Only My Opinion...........
    October 17, 2012 7:38 am
    But from the looks of the guy, he won't be around very long among the living.

    Instead, they will waste $5 million dollars on attorney's fees.....clog up the legal system and waste thousands of man hours trying to build a case him.

    In the end, what does he get out of the deal?.......

    He goes from living on the street, to going to a dry, heated prison. From sleeping on the ground, to sleeping in a mattress with sheets and a pillow. From wondering where he is going to find his next scrap of food, to 3 hot meals, plus snacks. Dying in 1 year from the elements, to getting good medical care and living another 30 years in prison. From watching the world go by in a fog to watching cable television.

    This guy just won the lottery.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    @ hpygolkyone
    October 17, 2012 7:48 am
    Very interesting and truthful observation. What would society's solution be?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    @ Forrest.........
    October 17, 2012 8:41 am
    I thought about your question even before I made my comment.

    I have neither a snarky comment, or an thought provoking solution. Murder is murder and last time I checked, murder is agin the law. This man should/will get his day in court.

    The family of the victim has had a loose end in their lives for 36 years.....have probably come to terms with it and now may have all those feelings resurrected whether they want them or not.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 333 wrote...
    Life to 2 years
    October 17, 2012 7:41 am
    ...which ever comes first.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    A better life at last..
    October 17, 2012 8:18 am
    3 squares, free health care (he clearly needs it) and a place to sleep every night that has heat and clean blankets. This guy must feel like he's in heaven..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AM Jacker wrote...
    WHAT O_o ???
    October 17, 2012 8:53 am
    I've seen this guy almost daily for the last few years. Oddest thing I've ever seen him do was smoke some pot right over 2 Bike Officers Bikes. Mostly he just begs for change.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • xplanes wrote...
    Why am I not surprised
    October 17, 2012 9:35 am
    to find out the self appointed messiah was familiar with the inside of a jail? I have a snarky well thought out answer on what society should do with murderers. Devil's Island. You work to survive and that shouldn't be taken for granted. Life is the shortest sentence. I'm for keeping it real short.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Neighbors wrote...
    I'm glad he was caught and the reason is interesting...
    October 17, 2012 10:05 am
    ...but I wish the public wasn't made aware of tactics such as this. This isn't a hit at this website, but news (and TV in general) is quick to spread tactics that officers use to solve crimes, and while I'm not saying all criminals are "smart enough" to take in all of the things not to do to evade being caught, if one fugitive says "no thank you" to a strategic gum survey, it will make our brief moment of entertainment not worth it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    Ahh, the old gum trick...
    October 17, 2012 2:33 pm
    Gets em every time...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }