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BPD Looking For Suspect Who Sexually Assaulted 71-Year-Old Woman

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's been two weeks since a senior citizen was victimized in her home. Police say someone broke into the victim's Park Heights home and sexually assaulted her. Right now, police are still looking for a suspect.

Ava-joye Burnett explains there's now a composite sketch police hope will help catch the suspect.

It was a disturbing crime -- a home break-in and sexual assault of 71-year-old Pat Artis.

"Upset, apprehensive, wondering what's going on after you've lived in a neighborhood for so long, you're comfortable," Artis said.

But Artis' comfort in her Park Heights home on Beaufort Avenue is now forever altered, after police say someone broke in two weeks ago, robbed and then sexually assaulted her.

Her four-year-old granddaughter was in the other room.

"What if this person comes back again? Is this person still in my neighborhood wandering around at night?" said Artis.

This week, police released a sketch of the suspect. The man is about six feet tall, in his 20s. Artis believes the suspect walked through a back alley and broke down her back door.

Artis says she's been complaining about the alley behind her home for a while, saying it's too dark. Flood lights have been brought in, but residents say they don't always work.

On May 4, less than two miles away on Garden Drive, another senior citizen was brutally attacked and sexually assaulted. Mary Hines, 90, later died.

RELATED: 90-Year-Old Woman Dies After Violent Baltimore Home Invasion

Right now, police do not believe the suspect is connected to the case involving the 90-year-old. But at a community meeting, they reassured angry citizens they are working hard to solve both cases.

"I'm angry. We are angry. We are upset. This anger that you saw tonight, this frustration and this emotion will turn into resolve," said Commissioner Kevin Davis, Baltimore Police Department.

Just like police, Artis hopes someone will recognize the sketch and turn them in.

"It's a good thing to know they are working on it, that they are looking for somebody," she said.

If you have any information, call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

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