Elderly woman was raped during home invasion in Hurstbourne Acres, Louisville police say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police are asking for the public's help in locating a suspect after an elderly woman was raped during a home invasion Wednesday afternoon.

Matthew Sanders, a spokesperson for LMPD, said officers responded to a home in Hurstbourne Acres on a home invasion and sexual assault. That's in the Taylorsville Road area.

The elderly woman told police that she answered a knock at her front door around 2:30 p.m. When she answered, the suspect knocked her down and raped her.

The suspect then stole some of her belongings before leaving. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.

"It shakes you up, it makes you stop and think how vulnerable you are, you know, because it seemed like they do prey on people who are elderly," said Rita Overton, who lives in the area.

Overton said the news came as a shock because it's a quiet street, in a quiet neighborhood with neat and tidy yards where neighbors know one another.

The only time police are in the neighborhood is on regular patrol. Thursday, detectives knocked on Overton's door to see if her doorbell camera caught the suspect on video.

"They looked at it and said it only recorded what was on my front porch," she said.

Police said the Our Sex Crimes Unit (OSPI) is canvassing the area and interviewing neighbors.

LMPD is asking for neighbors to check if they have images or video of the alleged suspect. He's described as thin, 5-foot-10-inch Black man with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and either jeans or blue pants.

"This type of incident is very troubling and very uncommon," Sanders said. "We want the community in that area to be cautious, take the extra time to pay attention to your surroundings, and call 911 immediately if you feel you are in danger."

In the middle of the day, neighbors said the street was almost empty. No one called police, and so far no one claims to have seen anyone enter or leave the house. The victim, who neighbors said is between 75 and 80 years old, called police and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

"I just hope and pray the lady is OK,' said Overton.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LMPD crime tip line at 502-574-LMPD (574-5673). Tips can also be submitted anonymously through LMPD's Crime Tip Portal.

More Local Crime Stories: