A University City man has been charged with the February rape of a Washington University student in her residence hall. William Harris, 24, is charged with an array
of crimes, including three counts of forcible sodomy, one count of forcible rape, one count of kidnapping, one count of second-degree sexual misconduct, one count of first-degree burglary, and one count of second-degree robbery.
Police said Harris, a convicted felon who was out on parole at the time of the alleged attack, used to work at the Subway restaurant on the campus of Washington University.
The female student was assaulted at Myers Hall near Wydown Boulevard and Big Bend Avenue in Clayton.
Police said the man pushed his way into a suite after the victim answered a knock on her door on Feb. 12.
Police don’t believe Harris knew the victim.
“We do believe it’s possible … that he would’ve followed somebody else in,” said Wash U. Police Chief Don Strom.
Harris has been in custody for a parole violation since March. Police credit the victim for helping them solve the case.
“She’s an incredible inspiration to the investigators that worked on this case,” said Strom.
But Strom cautions that students should remain vigilant.
“While it’s reassuring to know that he’s been in custody and we’ve known that he’s been in custody for nearly two months now, that’s something we don’t want the community to let their guard down.”
Harris is being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center in lieu of $150,000 bond.
Police say there has been an arrest in the assault if a Washington University student.
The student was assaulted in her campus dorm in February. It happened in Myers Hall near Wydown Blvd. and Big Bend Avenue in Clayton.
Police say the man pushed his way into the suite after the victim answered a knock on her door around 3 p.m.
Authorities said the man forced his way in, beat the victim, sexually assaulted her, and demanded money and property. She was later treated and released from a local hospital.
Police said she did not know her attacker.
Police were scheduled to hold a news conference Friday afternoon announcing the details of the arrest. When that information is released, it will be added to this story on ksdk.com.
Clayton police and university security said this was an extremely rare occurrence, but campus security has been increased.
Random Posts
Stumble it!
