Campbell cops search for suspected rapist
Staff report
CAMPBELL
Police are searching for a city man charged with felonious assault, kidnapping, and raping a woman Tuesday night.
According to a police report, the 30-year-old victim informed police that Elijah Lashley Sr., 33, choked her until she was no longer conscious at a Coitsville Road residence. She then found herself restrained to a bed.
She told police Lashley raped her five times throughout the night, and threatened to kill her and burn the house down.
Police said he left in a gray 2001 Honda Odyssey minivan with the license plate 844YMR.
The victim was able to break free of the restraints, and went to a neighbor’s house on Courtland Avenue, where police found her with the neighbors.
The victim had three children at the Coitsville Road residence, who were still there sleeping. Police placed the children in the temporary custody of one of the victim’s relatives.
The victim was transported to St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.
Lashley is described as black, 4 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 180 pounds.