SMITHFIELD – A homeless man was arrested and held without bond following a burglary and attempted sexual assault.
Lynn Elwood Harris of the streets of Smithfield is charged with the incident. Smithfield Police said the victim had been a prior relationship with the suspect.
On Saturday, July 20 around 1:00pm, police said a 37 year-old woman was inside her West Smithfield home when she heard a noise.
The victim went to investigate and discovered Harris had entered her residence through a window left partially open. Harris reportedly produced a knife and attempted to sexually assault the woman.
The victim was able to dial 911. Emergency dispatchers heard a disturbance in the background and dispatched police to investigate.
When Harris saw officers pulling up to the home he fled on foot. Police chased the 32 year-old man across the 1400 block of US 70 where he was apprehended.
Harris faces a long list of charges including attempted first-degree rape, kidnapping, felony breaking and entering, harrassing phone calls, domestic trespassing, resisting an officer, and injury to property.
The victim declined medical treatment. Police said the incident was not a random act.
