Burglar Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Young Children In Sussex County

WANTAGE, NJ — A home invasion and burglary in Wantage ended in the sexual assault of two young children, New Jersey State Police said.

Craig Lassiter, 33, of Middletown, New York, faces more than a dozen charges after State Police say he broke into a Wantage home and sexually assaulted two young children in their bedroom in September.

An adult in the home called 911 just after 2 a.m. on Sept. 18, saying he believed a burglar had broken into the home and was still there. Police say they tried to stop a pickup truck driving away from the area, but when the driver noticed police, he swerved, ran over a mailbox and sped away. Police were unable to find the driver at that point despite an "extensive search," they said.

Police say that while Lassiter was in the home, he went into a bedroom shared by two children younger than 13. He allegedly threatened the children with a gun and sexually assaulted them. The children told family members, who found their front door open.

Lassiter was arrested in Bay Shore, Long Island, on Sept. 22 for eluding and receiving stolen property warrants issued out of Sussex County.

On Oct. 4, Lassiter was issued numerous charges stemming from the alleged burglary and sexual assault:

• 2 counts of 1st Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault on minor less than 13 years old
• 2 counts of 1st Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault during the commission of a robbery and burglary
• 1 count of 1st Degree Robbery while threaten to use a deadly weapon
• 2 counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault on a minor less than 13 years old
• 2 counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Penetration while using physical force
• 1 count of 2nd Degree Burglary
• 2 counts of 3rd Degree Endangering the welfare of a child
• 2 counts of 3rd Degree Criminal Restraint
• 2 counts of 3rd Degree Terroristic Threats
• 1 count of 3rd Degree Theft
• 2 counts of 4th Degree Sexual Contact1 count of 4th Degree Criminal Trespass

He is being held in Sussex County Jail with a pending bail hearing.

Image via New Jersey State Police