Woman, 65, sexually assaulted

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A 65-year-old woman was reportedly robbed and sexually assaulted in her home in the Castle Heights neighborhood in Portsmouth Sunday night, police said.

The attack in Castle Heights came without warning and caught neighbors accustomed to quiet off guard.

"I happen to see a lot of flashlights start coming through backyards," said Chris Paterson.

Paterson was relaxing in his backyard Sunday night when he heard a police siren, then looked up.

"I happen to see a figure," recalled Paterson, "a head stand up and just as the flashlights came through the back yards, that head ducked down very quickly."

Heading inside, Paterson called police and asked them to stop by and check out his backyard. At about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, police said someone sexually assaulted a woman, 65, rushing her when she opened the door. The victim struggled with her attacker for a few minutes before the suspect ran away.

"Totally shocked," said neighbor Doug David. "Nothing like that to my knowledge has happened while I've been living here."

Portsmouth police said this is one of four similar attacks in the last year in the area, but so far there is no official connection. Police have investigated attacks in the Hunters Point, River Point, and West Norfolk neighborhoods since last May, all very close to Castle Heights.

Although police said they're not sure the attacks are related, the suspect descriptions in every case match.

Police urge everyone in the area, especially the elderly, to leave porch lights on all night, and never answer the door unless you know who it is.

For a neighborhood used to calm, this attack will prompt a lot more caution.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.