Two suspects wanted in rape of elderly woman

Published 11:17 am Saturday, September 19, 2015

Two rape suspects remained at large Saturday after kicking in the door of a home, assaulting a 72-year-old woman at gunpoint and stealing cash.

The rape and robbery was reported about 6:35 a.m. Saturday in the 1100 block of Mundy Street, Vicksburg police Capt. Sandra Williams said.

“The best description we are able to get is that it was two black male subjects,” Williams said.

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At least one of the men was armed with a handgun when they kicked in a door of the home early Saturday, Williams said. At least one man raped the woman who had been asleep before hearing them break in. The men ransacked the house, stole an undetermined amount of cash and fled, Williams said.

“We are definitely asking the public for any help we can get in identify the persons responsible for this horrific crime,” Williams said.

Police are requesting anyone with information about the break-in and rape to call VPD at 601-636-2511 or Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 601-355-8477. Callers remain anonymous and do not have to testify in court.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of a felony suspect.

The home invasion rape is the second reported this year in Vicksburg, though the first had a deadly end.

In June, 69-year-old Sharen Wilson was attacked inside her home on Drummond Street.

Police say Wilson was stalked, tied up, raped, abducted and taken to an abandoned hospital where she was shot in the head with a stolen gun.

Rafael McCloud, 33, was arrested and charged with capital murder, sexual battery, rape, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, grand larceny, arson and home invasion.

A relative of his was arrested with him but later released after police found no evidence suggesting he was involved.

The Saturday rape was also similar to an attack in October 2012 on Drummond Street. Following a Crime Stoppers tip, Eddie Lee Harris was arrested that December. In 2013, he was convicted of breaking into the home before raping and beating a woman in a wheelchair and then stealing a television. Harris is serving a 60-year sentence at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. His tentative release date is April 29, 2072, according to Mississippi Department of Corrections records.