Police: Home intruder sexually assaults woman; neighbor disarms suspect

Police say a woman in Olney was held at gunpoint and sexually assaulted in her home. According to police, a neighbor came to her aid and disarmed the suspect.

Sitting just off camera near the spot where he confronted an armed robber Tuesday morning, an Olney man told FOX 29 how he wrestled with the suspect moments after the suspect had robbed and sexually assaulted his 57-year-old neighbor.

"Before I knew it he tried to pull a gun out on me. I knocked it out of this hand, scuffled for the gun and when I got control of the gun He kicked out of my hands," the neighbor told FOX 29.

"I think the neighbor's very heroic," Special Victims Unit Captain Mark Burgmann said.

Police say the terrifying confrontation happened moments after the 57-year-old woman was confronted by the armed robber at her back door just before 7 a.m.

"Offender pushed the door open and put a hand gun to her forehead and ordered her back inside the house, " Captain Burgmann said.

The victim and her neighbor had come outside along an alley when they heard a brick wall fall. As her neighbor went back inside, the victim came face-to-face with the gunman.

"He made her go upstairs where he demanded money, he took money and some of her property and then he sexually assaulted her," Captain Burgmann said.

According to police, after robbing and sexually assaulting the woman the suspect took her car keys and headed to the rear alley when he was confronted by the next door neighbor.

"The next door neighbor was able to disarm this male and take the handgun," Captain Burgmann said.

The suspect fled, but left behind his gun, fingerprints and possibly some DNA. Police say moments before the attack, he committed a burglary a block away. He may also be tied to other robberies and burglaries in the area.

The suspect may have been wearing gloves with the fingers cut out and a black hoodie with the word "fresh" written across the back in white letters.

Anyone with information can call the Special Victims Unit.