Tulsa police 'actively searching' for suspect accused of sexually assaulting elderly woman
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Tulsa police are searching for 40-year-old Elga Harper, who's accused of beating and sexually assaulting an elderly woman.
Officers say Harper attacked the woman in her 70s at a home near 51st and Memorial in the Regency Park neighborhood on Wednesday.
After seeing media reports, police received a tip Thursday from someone, saying Harper stayed at their home. Harper apparently overheard the person telling their mother. Harper was gone before officers arrived.
Investigators found another person in the neighborhood had let Harper use their home to change his bloody clothes.
Officers learned Harper is in the neighborhood a lot, looking for "vulnerable persons." Many residents were familiar with him as a handyman but hadn't heard of his crimes.
Harper was last seen walking westbound from 51st and Memorial just after 11 a.m. Friday. He was wearing dark clothes and work boots, carrying a backpack.
Police say he may approach residents in the area and ask to stay overnight. Officers also believe he may be using backyard storage buildings and abandoned houses in the area.
Police moved the search area to the neighborhoods south and west of 5100 S. Lewis Ave. on Friday evening and warned residents to be on the lookout for Harper.
If anyone sees any suspicious activity, they're advised to call 911. Harper is extremely dangerous and is likely to commit violent crimes to avoid arrest.
Tulsa police will be actively searching the area until he's arrested.
Once arrested, Harper will be facing charges of first-degree robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and battery, assault and battery by means likely to produce death, and two counts of first-degree rape.
