Rape, home invasion suspect on the run

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Newport News Police are searching for a suspect who broke into two apartments and sexually assaulted a woman in the Southeast area of the city.

Police responded to Wickham Avenue around 2:20 a.m. Sunday after it was reported that a man forced his way into an apartment, demanded money and then sexually assaulted a female resident. The man also took the resident's car keys.

Following the first home invasion, the suspect forced the woman and the other male resident into a common area in the apartment building. He then proceeded to force his way into another apartment that was occupied by two women.

"He said 'I want some money. You better give me the money. If you don't give me the money, I'll kill you,'" said Shirley Bowser, who was in bed when the man broke into her apartment.

Bowser says the suspect was holding a gun to the head of one of the residents from the first apartment. She says the man told her to lie down and open her legs, but did not sexually assault her. At the time, she did not know what had happened in the first apartment.

Bowser gave the man her purse. And when he would not leave, her friend who was also in the bedroom began to hit the man with the fan. Bowser says it was enough to make him run.

"I wouldn't go to his house and take his stuff, and I don't want him to come to my house and take my stuff," said Bowser. "He can come again, but he won't go back out."

The suspect used the keys he stole from the first apartment to steal the car outside in an effort to get away, according to a press release from Newport News Police.

The stolen car was recovered around 8 a.m. at the intersection of  Jefferson Avenue and 12th Street.

Police describe the suspect as a black male in his mid twenties, between 5'8" and 6', and having a short afro. He was wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

All four victims are in their mid and late fifties. 

Investigators are asking anyone with information on this crime to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

Stay with WAVY.com and Wavy News 10 on air for updates as they become available.