Man helps 74-year-old with groceries, then sexually assaults her for days, OR cops say
A man kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 74-year-old woman for days after carrying her groceries home for her, Oregon police say.
The 74-year-old woman told police that on Monday, Dec. 23, she was carrying groceries home after a trip to the store, the Portland Police Bureau said in a Jan. 6 news release.
Because of the weight of her grocery bags, she paused to rest, police said.
A stranger, later identified as Kenneth Gregory Williams, 69, approached the woman and offered to help her home, police said.
After bringing the woman’s groceries inside the home, police said, Williams “barricaded the door from the inside, preventing her from leaving.”
Over the next three days, Williams sexually assaulted the woman on multiple occasions, police said.
The woman convinced him to leave on Dec. 26, and she went to a hospital for care, according to police.
Police said detectives later identified Williams as a suspect.
Detectives contacted his parole officer, who issued a warrant for his arrest, police said.
Officers found and arrested Williams on Sunday, Jan. 5, according to police.
Following an interview with detectives, Williams was booked into jail on multiple first-degree charges, including three counts of rape, kidnapping, coercing and burglary, according to police.
McClatchy News reached out to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and is awaiting a response on formal charges.
Police said its detectives are investigating Williams on separate rape allegations as well, adding that they believe Williams may have additional victims.
Anyone with information about Williams is asked to contact Detective Michael Bledsoe at michael.bledsoe@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case #24-332946.
