Sheriff vows rape kits from Robbins will be tested

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said dozens of sexual assault kits found in an evidence room at the Robbins Police Department will be sent to the Illinois State Police.

Dart said 51 rape kits, some dating to 1986, were never submitted for analysis. In addition to the kits, 55 guns never sent to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to trace their original ownership were found.

Dart on Tuesday said there is no acceptable reason the rape kits weren’t sent for testing.

Robbins police Cmdr. Christian Daigre said the evidence room had not been maintained as it should have been but, “Going forward, it will absolutely be.”

In 2007, about 200 untested rape kits were found at the Harvey Police Department, resulting in several arrests.