Crime & Safety
Man Who Raped 95-Year-Old Woman Broke Into 4 Women's Homes: Montco DA
All were homes of women living alone, between the ages of 46 and 95, authorities said.
TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP, PA — The man who police said raped an elderly woman at a Towamencin senior living facility also broke into three other women's homes, all of whom lived alone, the Montgomery County District Attorney's office said.
The new details emerged Friday after authorities publicly announced the arrest of John Vernon Gray, 22, of Telford. Gray has been charged with rape, attempted rape, criminal trespassing, burglary, and related counts.
The first incident occurred back on May 10, 2025 at around 2:25 a.m. on Dock Drive in Towamencin.
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Police said a 79-year-old woman woke up to see Gray entering her home through her bedroom window. The woman screamed, which scared him off, authorities said.
Gray then turned to Dock Woods Senior Living facility, where he entered the bedroom of a 95-year-old woman about an hour later, police said.
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The elderly victim woke up to Gray pacing around in her room in the middle of the night, authorities said. Gray told the woman he had seen her in the cafeteria earlier and that he thought she was beautiful, police said. He then commenced to rape her, according to authorities.
Months passed, but another pair of break-ins occurred on Nov. 8, again on Dock Drive. Police said Gray entered a 72-year-old woman's bedroom at around 3 a.m. and tried to lift her nightgown.
The woman screamed, and Gray fled, according to authorities.
About half an hour later, Gray broke into a home on Crosshill Court, also in Towamencin, authorities said. The 46-year-old woman inside the home screamed, and Gray fled again, police said.
Gray was arrested on Jan. 10. Magisterial District Judge Todd Stephens denied bail "due to the threat to the public and nature of the charges," the district attorney's office said. He was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Gray and the string of assaults and break-ins. If you believe you may have been a victim, contact the Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3385.
The next preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 2.
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