Apr 25, 2018 2 min read

A Strabane man arrested earlier this month by North Strabane Township police after he allegedly broke into a home and raped a woman was ordered Tuesday to stand trial on charges including burglary and rape.

Richard A. Betonte, 60, of 110 Alexander Ave., also was held for court during a brief appearance before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, strangulation, criminal trespass and indecent assault.

Betonte responded “Yes, sir” when Weller asked him if he understood the nature of the hearing.

Police were called April 4 to the home of a 60-year-old woman who told police a man entered her home about 3 a.m. while she was sleeping. The man, later identified by police as Betonte, allegedly assaulted and raped the woman for 90 minutes before leaving her home. Police later found a rear window open and the back door unlocked. The woman told police she did not leave the door unlocked or window open.

The alleged victim told police her attacker wrapped her head in a bedsheet, choked her and struck her in the face. He also allegedly told her that he had a gun and was going to put it to her head if she didn’t comply.

The woman gave police a description of her attacker, telling officers he wore eyeglasses he had left behind on the floor next to her bed. Police obtained a search warrant for Betonte’s medical records at his optometrist’s office. The optometrist was able to determine the eyeglasses belonged to the suspect, police said.

Betonte remains in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond. He will be formally arraigned on the charges May 24.