ONTARIO - Police say they have arrested a man suspected of forcing his way into an Ontario home and assaulting the resident, a woman in her 70s.
The suspect, 26-year-old Michael Cory Epperson, was arrested at an Ontario home Sunday afternoon, police said.
The incident happened at about 7 p.m. Thursday at a home on Southwest 11th Street.
Police say the man went up to the home and knocked on the door. When the woman answered, according to investigators, the man forced his way inside and tried to to sexually assault her.
The attacker left the home after taking money from the woman.
Investigators say the suspect then stole a car - a maroon Buick Century - to make his getaway. The stolen Buick was later found parked and unoccupied in the 200 block of Northwest 3rd Avenue.
Epperson was identified as the suspect and a temporary felony warrant was issued, police said. He was taken into custody without incident and is now being held in the Malheur County Jail on felony charges of robbery, kidnapping, burglary, coercion, and several sexual-related charges.
"Our officers have been working non-stop since this crime occurred to identify a suspect in this case," Ontario Police Chief Carl Kunz said in a statement. "I am very happy to report that their dedicated efforts resulted in an arrest. We wish to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this investigation; Oregon State Police, Malheur County Sheriff, Malheur County Victims’ Advocates and the Boise Police Department."
