Man says he went to Starbucks to find rape victim because ‘that’s where all the women go’ — abducted victim in parking lot and told her ‘I deserve this’
(Law and Crime, July 12, 2026)
On Veterans Day (November 11, 2022), Timothy J. Dubois Jr., 42, abducted a 21-year-old woman who was waiting in her car outside a Starbucks in Collinsville, Illinois. Armed with a large knife, he forced her to drive to a secluded area in nearby Troy, where he sexually assaulted her. He then forced her to drive back to the shopping center before fleeing.
During the assault, the victim testified that Dubois told her he “deserved” her because he was a veteran and it was Veterans Day. Investigators later said Dubois admitted he specifically chose Starbucks because “that’s where all the women go,” and acknowledged the victim “could’ve been anyone”—he simply targeted someone who was alone.
Although Dubois attempted to avoid detection by turning off the victim’s cellphone and wearing a mask, investigators were able to trace the victim’s Apple Watch to the crime scene. There they recovered a discarded condom containing DNA. Using forensic genetic genealogy, detectives eventually identified Dubois, who later confessed to the crime.
In May 2026, a jury convicted Dubois of:
- Aggravated criminal sexual assault
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Aggravated criminal sexual abuse
On July 9, 2026, he was sentenced to 120 years in prison:
- 80 years for aggravated criminal sexual assault
- 30 years for aggravated kidnapping
- 10 years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse
Under Illinois sentencing rules, he is expected to serve at least 68 years before becoming eligible for release.
Following the sentencing, Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm said, “We put a monster away today,” while emphasizing that the victim still faces a long road to recovery. Prosecutors praised the persistence of investigators and the use of forensic genealogy in solving the case.
Sources:
- “‘I deserve this’: Military vet abducted woman at Starbucks on Veterans Day, told her he deserved to rape her because he fought for the U.S.” – Law & Crime
- “Veteran sentenced for kidnapping young woman from Starbucks, raping her on Veterans Day because he ‘deserved her’” – FOX19 / Gray News (July 10, 2026)
- “Man Sentenced to 120 Years in Prison After Sexually Assaulting Woman at Knifepoint Outside Starbucks” – People (July 13, 2026)
- “Man Gets 115 Years For Starbucks Abduction Assault” – RiverBender.com (July 9, 2026)
