Man Receives 120-Year Sentence for Kidnapping and Raping Woman at Starbucks

A 42-year-old man from Collinsville, Illinois, has been sentenced to 120 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman who was targeted while sitting alone in her car at a Starbucks parking lot on November 11, 2022. Timothy DuBois approached the victim with a knife and a mask, forcing her to drive him to Troy, Illinois, where he committed the assault before making her return to the original location.

During the ordeal, DuBois turned off the woman's phone but failed to disable her Apple Watch, which continued to track her movements. This technological oversight proved crucial in helping investigators locate and arrest DuBois four months later through genetic genealogy technology after finding a discarded condom at the scene of the crime. The case involved collaboration from 12 different agencies assisting the Collinsville Police Department.

At trial, jurors heard part of DuBois' confession tape where he admitted to targeting Starbucks because “that’s where all the women go” and choosing his victim specifically because she was alone in her car. In court testimony, the victim revealed that during the attack on Veterans Day, DuBois had claimed veteran status as justification for his actions.

Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine praised the survivor's resilience, stating, "I don’t want to call her a victim in this case because I think she’s really a victor." The sentence handed down by the court sends a strong message about the severe consequences faced by individuals who commit such heinous crimes.

This case highlights the importance of technological advancements and inter-agency cooperation in solving complex criminal cases. It also underscores the vulnerability women face when alone in public spaces, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and support systems to protect potential victims.