DC man arrested in multiple Northwest sexual assaults, home invasions, police announce

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - A DC man with a lengthy criminal history who was currently under active supervision was arrested in connection to multiple violent sexual assaults and home invasions in the same block of a Northwest neighborhood, authorities announced on Tuesday.

DC police said 58-year-old Lester Wilkerson, who has previous charges including for burglary and sexual assault, was taken into custody on Monday.

Officials said Wilkerson broke into a home in the 1600 block of Irving Street, NW on May 21 at about 1 a.m. and confronted a woman in her bedroom. The woman said she awoke to find Wilkerson in her bedroom and he told her that he was armed with a gun. Authorities said Wilkerson demanded money from the woman, forced her to undress and sexually assaulted her.

Following the sexual assault, Wilkerson walked the woman to a second bedroom in the residence where he robbed a man before fleeing the scene, according to officials.

Just two days later in the same block, officials said Wilkerson broke into another home at about 6 a.m. on May 23 and confronted a woman in her bedroom and also demanded money. DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said Wilkerson then "engaged in an unwanted sexual act with the victim" before fleeing the scene.

On Monday, authorities said Wilkerson broke into another home in the same block at about 2:30 p.m. and confronted two women. When Wilkerson demanded money from the victims, the women ran from the home and screamed for help, according to officials. Police said a neighbor heard the screams and ran to help. The neighbor confronted the suspect in a back alley as he was attempting to flee the scene and began to follow him. Wilkerson told the neighbor he had a gun, according to officials.

The neighbor continued to follow Wilkerson at a safe distance as he attempted to alert police. While following the suspect, Wilkerson threw a brick at the neighbor but missed him, according to officials. The neighbor was eventually able to flag down nearby officers who chased Wilkerson and took him into custody.

Wilkerson has been charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Investigators said they were checking to see if Wilkerson is connected to any other sexual assaults in the area.