Man accused of break-in, rape attempt
A 24-year-old man who Washington police say is homeless was arrested Tuesday night after he allegedly broke into the Tylerdale home of an elderly couple and later told police he planned to sexually assault the wife.
Curtis Tripplet was taken into custody just before 7 p.m. in the driveway of the home.
Police were called to the residence for a report of a break-in. When police arrived, they said they spotted Tripplet in the driveway. He was handcuffed, patted down and placed in the back of the police cruiser.
The residents told police that they heard a noise outside their home.
They said they checked and spotted Tripplet pulling on the basement door in an attempt to open it, police said.
Tripplet allegedly told police that he was going to go into the residence to throw out a napkin.
In a statement provided at the police station, he allegedly told an officer that he was going to go inside the residence to use the bathroom, then was going to ask the elderly woman to have sex and “make babies.” If she said no, Tripplet stated he was going to have sex with her anyway, police said. When police asked him if he knew that was rape, he said “yes.”
Tripplet was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, attempted rape, loitering and prowling at night. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday before Redlinger.