Man wanted for rape of a minor in Columbus and Florida arrested in St. Petersburg

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man police are investigating in connection to an alleged rape of a minor in northeast Columbus has been arrested in Florida.

According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, 50-year-old Robert Burke was wanted after a woman reported that he raped her over a period of nine years to St. Petersburg police in Florida. Burke and the victim previously lived in the northeast section of the city, in Mifflin Township, where the victim said the rapes began. A juvenile at the time, she told police that Burke began having sex with her from the ages of 13 to 21.

Court documents indicate the first reported rape occurred in August 2015. Police said the victim told Burke, “to stop, it hurt, and she didn’t want to have sex with him," on several occasions, but that Burke forced sex regardless of her protest.

Police reported that the victim’s mother stated Burke approached her when the victim was 12 years old and told her he had taken the victim’s virginity. It was also reported that the victim bore a child in February 2023 as a result of Burke raping her.

Police also said that Burke, who resides in St. Petersburg, was known to frequent the east side of Columbus and a warrant for his arrest was issued by CPD on Nov. 18.

Court documents in Pinellas County, Florida state that he was arrested Monday morning, over 1,000 miles south of Columbus, in the 200 block of 104th Avenue by sheriff's deputies. The criminal complaint lists a charge of rape and no bond issued in municipal court. It is unknown when he will be extradited back to Columbus to face local charges.

Anyone with additional information to this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and e-mail your tip.