The same DNA evidence that cleared a man charged with raping a 59-year-old grandmother in her Roland Park home last year has led police to charge another suspect in the attack, according to court records made public yesterday.
Baltimore police charged Roger L. Ervin, 46, of the 3500 block of Dudley Ave. in Baltimore with first-degree rape, conspiracy, armed robbery, assault, burglary and handgun offenses.
The Aug. 23 attack that provoked fear in the small subdivision of Tuxedo Park occurred after police said two men followed the victim home from shopping, burst into her home, threatened her with guns and demanded money.
Virginia Keyes Lasseter, a member of the Wyndhurst Improvement Association board, said she is friends with the victim and lives a few doors down on the same street. Lasseter said residents have taken steps during the past few months to make their homes safer, including installing lights and locks.
"Every possible thing you can think of we're doing," Lasseter said. "And we're keeping our eyes peeled. ... This evil thing swept in from nowhere. And we had a safe block. People talk to each other, look out for each other. That's why there was such shock."
According to court records, the victim left her front door unlocked as she unpacked her groceries and began to cook alone in her kitchen about 8 p.m. While standing at the stove, she heard footsteps behind her, turned around and saw two men pointing handguns at her, according to the police charging documents.
The men took $7 from her purse and her credit cards and said they were going to go upstairs to look for more money. One put her in an arm lock, which caused her to fall to the floor and almost lose consciousness, according to court records. One man then dragged her upstairs with the other following and threw her onto her bed.
The victim, according to court records, told the men that she was a grandmother, that she was to host a party for her grandchildren and begged one of the men not to rape her. After the assault, which occurred while one of the intruders was downstairs, they left. As soon as the victim heard the door slam, she called 911, according to charging documents.
The Sun does not identify victims of sexual assault.
Margaret T. Burns, a spokeswoman for the city state's attorney's office, declined to comment on the case. No other suspect has been arrested, said Sterling Clifford, a spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department.
