Authorities say officers prevented possible sexual assault

EAST LIBERTY, Pa. — A 52-year-old man was arrested Monday night in East Liberty after police said they heard a woman yelling for help during an alleged attempted sexual assault.

According to police, officers were securing the scene of a search warrant in the 300 block of North St. Clair Street just before 9 p.m. when they heard screaming.

The officers said they shined a flashlight in the front window of a nearby home and saw a shirtless man. They ordered him to come outside so they could investigate further.

Upon entering the house, detectives said they found a woman inside gasping for breath. Police said she had red marks on her face and chest, and her skirt was pulled up.

The woman told police that she met the man, William Lewis, about a month ago, and he offered her a place to stay because at the time, she was homeless.

The woman said she had been staying with Lewis for two days when he came home and forced himself on her.

Lewis, who police said threatened several officers and exposed himself, was arrested and charged with unlawful restraint, criminal attempted rape, simple assault and terroristic threats.

A friend of Lewis told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski that the allegations against him are a surprise. He said Lewis was a good guy and never showed signs of violence.
"I know Will to be an outstanding young man," the friend said. "This situation is surprising to me and it's an unfortunate one."

WPXI