Sharon man faces charges in assault

The suspect is jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond.

STAFF REPORT

SHARON, Pa. — A 31-year-old city woman was attacked as she was walking to work Sunday morning.

Sharon police said William Crawford, 23, of East State Street in Sharon was arrested in the attack and charged with robbery, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, false imprisonment and simple assault.

He was arraigned Sunday and is in Mercer County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Police Chief Michael Menster said the woman was walking at 6:10 a.m. in the area of New Castle Avenue and Prindle Street when she noticed a man following her.

She tried to walk faster, but he caught up with her, Menster said.

She reported that he grabbed her and put something in the middle of her back, telling her he had a gun, Menster said.

He pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her, Menster said, then grabbed her purse and ran.

The woman called 911 from her cell phone, and an officer saw Crawford running near Buhl Court, Menster said.

He climbed over a fence and, after a foot chase, was arrested in the 100 block of Buhl Court.

Menster said police also found suspected marijuana in a backpack he was wearing, and he will be charged with drug possession.

The woman was not treated at a hospital, Menster said.

Crawford’s preliminary hearing is set for 11 a.m. April 15 at Senior Magistrate Henry Russo’s court in Sharon.