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Wisconsin governor OKs extradition of 1997 Daytona Beach rape suspect

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 43-year-old man who was arrested in March in connection with a 1997 rape in Daytona Beach will soon be back in Florida after Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a warrant clearing the way for his extradition.

Robert Haar is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl 20 years ago in a wooded area near Daytona Beach.

He was identified as a suspect when investigators got a DNA hit after he was arrested on a domestic abuse charge in Wisconsin.

After Scott cleared the way for extradition, Haar will soon be back in Florida, WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.

“The only issue left is the transportation,” he said. “When Florida’s going to go up there and get him.”

At the time of Haar’s arrest, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Pat Thoman said that without the DNA, the 43-year-old would likely still be on the loose.

“Without DNA technology, we wouldn’t be where we are today in the case,” Thoman said.

While 20 years have passed since the rape, the victim was still pushing for Haar to be prosecuted.

It can be very difficult for a victim in this type of case, victim advocate Diana Gomez said.

“Navigating through the criminal justice (system) can be very scary, because it’s unknown to a layperson,” Gomez said. “It can retraumatize a person because they have to retell their story. It brings up old emotions.”

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said it was making transportation plans in the case but could not say exactly when Haar will be brought back to Florida.

Investigators said they have identified two other suspects in the rape case, but are still working to obtain DNA evidence from them.