Police arrest rape suspect in racially motivated attack

PITTSBURGH — A man who police say raped a woman in a racially motivated attack has been arrested.

Lee Harris, 47, was arrested early Saturday morning with the assistance of a SWAT team and the Sex Assault/Family Violence Unit.

Harris is facing multiple charges including indecent assault by force, unlawful restraint, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and terroristic threats.

The woman told police she had spoken with Harris on several occasions, but did not have a friendship or a relationship with him.

According to the complaint, the woman was walking home on Sept. 18 when she passed Harris and he started walking with her, which she said had occurred before. The victim told police Harris pulled a knife from his pocket, put it to her neck and ordered her to walk to an abandoned building, where he assaulted her, according to the complaint.

The woman told police that when she asked Harris why he was doing this to her, he replied, “Because you’re white.”

Pittsburgh police said in a release that officers determined around 12:30 a.m. Saturday that Harris was in an apartment in the 5200 block of Gertrude Street in Hazelwood. SWAT was called to the scene, and Harris was taken into custody around 2:30 a.m. after he was found in a basement.

Police said Harris refused commands by police and a K-9 unit was utilized. Harris was taken to UPMC Mercy, where a bite to his lower right leg was treated before he was transported to the Allegheny County Jail.

Cox Media Group