Suspect sought for sex assault of 71-year-old woman inside her East Mount Airy home
Police say the suspect beat the woman when she refused to give him money, then sexually assaulted her.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are looking for the suspect in a home invasion and sexual assault of a 71-year-old woman.
The attack happened around 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the 7400 block of Devon Street in East Mount Airy.
According to police, the suspect entered the front door of the woman's home while screaming for help.
The suspect, said to be a male between 17 and 24 years old, then demanded money from the victim but she refused.
Police say the suspect punched the woman in the head and back, choked her, then sexually assaulted her.
The suspect then stole the woman's cell phone, credit card and car.
"I didn't sleep last because I was so scared. I was so scared," said one neighbor.
"Just the fact he had this ruse, 'Hey, help me, help me, I'm running from somebody.' And then very quickly turn into, 'Give me your money, give me your things,'" said Captain James Kearney with Special Victims Unit. "She survived. she fought back. She has my respect and today I think she's a hero."
The suspect's vehicle was described as a dark gray 2014 Toyota Corolla with PA tag JKV-8711.
The car has minor paint damage on the passenger side rear bumper.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia police.
