SHARON, FARRELL

Sharon man faces charges in rape, fire

A man suspected of committing serious crimes in Sharon and Farrell has been arrested after months of searching for him.

Randy Jermaine Norris, 19, of 369 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, was arrested at 6 p.m. Monday in the 200 block of Spearman Avenue, Farrell, on a warrant for arson and burglary, police said. The charges stem from an April 30 fire that gutted a house at 506 Hamilton Ave. in Farrell.

Sharon police this morning charged Norris with the July 12 rape of a 21-year-old Sharon woman.

Southwest Mercer County Regional police Sgt. Douglas Long said word on the street was that Norris had set the fire, but he could not find Norris to interview him.

Sharon police Sgt. Michael Menster caught up with Norris in Michigan and during an interview Norris said that he had burns on both legs.

Norris had been treated at the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System and UPMC Horizon, Farrell, on May 2, Long said.

Long said he later identified someone who said Norris told him that Norris had set the fire. Norris also confessed to the crime Tuesday, Long said.

Norris dumped gasoline on a couch to start the fire, Long said. He apparently also splashed some on himself, Long said.

Norris was allegedly retaliating against home owner Ray Wilson for a domestic incident April 29 involving Wilson and Norris’ sister, Long said.

In the Sharon case, police said Norris attacked the woman in her home in the 800 block of Spearman Avenue, Sharon. Police Chief Raymond C. Greene said this morning they charged Norris with rape, sexual assault, burglary, criminal trespass and conspiracy.

Greene said the woman was brutally beaten during the attack and it appeared as though she was left for dead. He said police are still investigating the possibility that another man was involved in the attack. The woman was treated and released from a local hospital after the attack, but she is still being treated as an outpatient for some injuries, Greene said.

Norris was to have two separate arraignments this morning for the charges from each department.