South Strabane police haven't forgotten one of the most brutal crimes in township history.

They're actively investigating and are asking for the public's help in solving the cold case from Dec. 31, 1998, when two men broke into a home, repeatedly raped a woman in her mid-60s while threatening to kill her and took cash, checks and a large amount of jewelry.

"With today's technology and the tools we have, it's important to get information back out there again and hopefully clear an old case," said Chief Donald M. Zofchak, who added the brutality of the crime was perhaps the worst he had seen in his 32 years on the job.

Police would be able to positively identify the suspects because they have DNA evidence from both attackers.

Over the last nine months, since Chief Zofchak asked Detective John Bruner to take another look at the case, 16 potential suspects have been cleared, the officers said yesterday at a news conference also attended by Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani.

"We're back to square one. We feel now is an appropriate time to re-energize this case with the help from the public in hopes that we can find a name out there that we have yet to investigate," Detective Bruner said.

"This is a truly innocent victim. We're trying to provide some closure, safety and solace to [her]," he said of the woman, now in her mid-70s and living in another location.

The crime occurred about 2 a.m. in the community's heavily residential Glenn Street-Maple Avenue area. Two white men believed to be then in their mid-20s broke into the home by breaking glass in the rear doors. While gaining entry, one of the men said, "It's the police, we're breaking in."

Once inside, the burglars ripped phones from the walls, detained the victim and took cash, checks, a VCR, wedding bands, watches and turquoise jewelry.

Before leaving, both suspects repeatedly raped the woman and told her she would be killed if she contacted police.

As they left, the suspects also ripped away phone cords outside the house.

"This is an important step in this investigation," Mr. Toprani said of the request for citizen help. "We're reaching out to the community at large to try to get the final information that we need to hopefully close this investigation and yield some arrests.

"It's a very difficult case, but we have DNA and we hope to get positive matches in the future."

Detective Bruner said investigators hope that by publicizing the case, they may prompt someone to remember hearing or seeing something that would lead to the suspects, who are believed to now be in their 30s.

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Strabane police at 724-225-8111 or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4-PA-TIPS.