DNA from a coffee cup leads to arrest of man, 51, over two violent rapes on Pennsylvania golf course

A Michigan man was arrested for two violent rapes on golf courses over 20 years ago after cold case detectives matched the crime scene DNA to his coffee cup.

Kurt Rillema, 51, was arraigned on April 18 in connection to a 1999 rape at the Twin Lakes Golf Club in Michigan and another in 2000 at a Penn State University golf course. 

The cases went cold after police couldn’t identify a suspect despite confirming the DNA at both incidents was a match in 2004. It wasn’t until 2021 that detectives in both states attempted to find another way to identify the suspect. 

Using genetic genealogy, police were able to narrow down the results to three people, Rillema and his two brothers. 

Investigators eventually got their hands on a styrofoam coffee cup Rillema used and confirmed he was a match, police announced last week.

Rillema, who lives in West Bloomfield, was at the Twin Lakes Golf Club located in Oakland Township, Michigan when he allegedly entered an employee only area and attacked a 22-year-old woman.

He immediately left the area but his DNA was at the scene, according to Law and Crime. 

Less than a year later on July 27, 2000, Rillema allegedly attacked a woman, 19, who was jogging on the Blur Course at Penn State University.

While at the 18th hole, Rillema supposedly stopped the victim to ask her for a band aid. 

Rillema then pulled out a knife, held it to her throat, punched her in the stomach and raped her, the victim told police. 

Rilema was arrested while at his home and charged with first and second degree sexual conduct. 

In Pennsylvania, Rillema is set to be charged with felony counts of rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault. 

The places he attacked had no cameras or witnesses, according to Centre Daily Times. 

Police described Rilema as a businessman and golfer and believe there are other victims.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael K. Bouchard is asking any other potential victims who were assaulted in similar circumstances to file a police report. 

Rillema, who lives in West Bloomfield, was at the Twin Lakes Golf Club located in Oakland Township, Michigan when he allegedly entered an employee only area and attacked a 22-year-old woman in an employee only area

Less than a year later on July 27, 2000, Rillema allegedly attacked a woman, 19, who was jogging on the Blur Course at Penn State University (above)

Twin Lakes Golf Club at Oakland Charter Township, Michigan – where one of the alleged rapes took place