Pottstown man charged with sexually assaulting 2 women, including 90-year-old

POTTSTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Pottstown man is accused of breaking into two homes and sexually assaulting two women, including a 90-year-old, in attacks that investigators say happened just hours apart.

Derelle Williams, 37, faces numerous felony charges in connection with the alleged burglaries and assaults.

Police were first called to Terraced Hill Court in Lower Pottsgrove around 7:45 a.m. on April 23 after a 911 call reported a break-in. Officers arrived to find a blind 90-year-old woman who police say had been sexually assaulted overnight.

Investigators said the suspect forced his way into the home, then sexually and physically assaulted the woman in her bedroom, including attempting to choke her.

Neighbors said they were shocked by the allegations.

"My heart just dropped, especially since I knew her husband really well. I mowed their grass. It was just bad news," said neighbor Jesse Becker.

According to the criminal complaint, each time the victim tried to scream for help, she was hit in the face. Investigators said she suffered bleeding on the brain, a broken nose, and extensive facial bruising and swelling.

Police said the woman was later discovered by another person who lived in the home and had been asleep in the basement.

A Sony PlayStation 5 console, along with several games and controllers, were reported stolen from the home.

Investigators believe Williams carried out a second, similar attack earlier that same morning at a home on Walnut Street in Pottstown.

Police said a woman woke to an armed man standing in her bedroom demanding money before sexually assaulting her. Authorities said the woman was able to provide a description of the intruder.

Investigators said surveillance video and evidence recovered from Williams' vehicle and home connected him to both cases. He was arrested the next day at his job at a Pottstown Walmart.

Police said it is unclear how Williams allegedly entered the Pottstown home. In the Lower Pottsgrove case, investigators said Williams admitted he tried doors and found a sliding door that was unlocked.

Williams has been charged with burglary, robbery involving a threat of serious bodily injury, aggravated assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse forcible compulsion, criminal trespass, strangulation and related offenses.

He is being held on $5 million cash bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 5.

Police in Lower Pottsgrove and Pottstown said they had prior contact with Williams in November 2025. Authorities said the elderly victim remains hospitalized.