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Manhunt For Rapist In Attack Next To Sleeping Child In Lancaster Ends In Arrest: DA

A rape at knifepoint that happened next to a sleeping child in Lancaster County has led to the arrest of a Chester County man, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adam's office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Efrain T. Mateo Jr.

Efrain T. Mateo Jr.

Photo Credit: Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

Efrain Mateo, 49, of the 3500 block of Blue Rock Road in Manor Township, was arrested in Chester County and accused of the assault on Friday, Oct. 11, the DA explained. 

The victim had an active PFA against Mateo when he entered her home in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 3, authorities said. It was not immediately clear exactly where in Chester County he was arrested.

He then restrained her hands "with duct tape while she was in bed, then holding a pocketknife to the woman’s neck and threatening to stab and cut her before raping her," as stated by the DA, who added that "an eight-year-old child was also in the bed at the time."

Mateo has a record of simple assault and terroristic threats, court records show.

He was charged with the following, according to his latest court docket with felony rape threat of forcible compulsion, felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse threat forcible compulsion, felony burglary, and an array of misdemeanors.

Judge Torrey Landis denied Mateo bail "due to public safety concerns," so he remains in Lancaster County Prison, according to the DA. 

His preliminary hearing is set before Judge Joshua R. Keller at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, according to the court docket for this case.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lapp will prosecute the case. 

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