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DA: Man wanted in Philadelphia home invasion, sexual assault arrested in North Carolina

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Updated  September 27, 2022 4:34pm EDT
Philadelphia
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Man sought in Philadelphia home invasion, sexual assault in custody, sources say

A man wanted in connection with a home invasion and sexual assault of a senior citizen in Philadelphia is now in police custody, sources tell FOX 29's Steve Keeley.

PHILADELPHIA - A Delaware man accused of entering a senior citizen's home through an unlocked door and assaulting her before forcing her to undress was arrested in North Carolina.

Zyree Downing, 22, is facing several charges including Rape, Burglary and Sexual Assault, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. 

Authorities believe Downing entered the home through an unlocked door and demanded money from the elderly victim. 

When she refused, investigators say Downing punched the victim in the head and back and started chocking her. He then forced the victim to disrobe and sexually assaulted her, according to police.

He is believed to have taken the victim's cell phone and credit card before fleeing in her gray 2014 Toyota Corolla. 

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Investigators said Downing drove to Chowan County, North Carolina where he abandoned the victim's car after being involved in a crash. 

One of the passengers, according to authorities, showed up at a local hospital and helped police identify Downing as the driver of the stolen car. 

Downing was subsequently taken into custody by police in North Carolina and will be transported back to Philadelphia, the DA's office said. 

In the wake of Downing's arrest, prosecutors also addressed charges previously brought against Downing that stemmed from a June shootout where he was critically injured. 

Investigators say Downing was found inside a Philadelphia bodega suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and brought to Temple University Hospital. 

Downing was charged with weapons offenses and reckless endangerment. 

A Philadelphia judge ordered the commonwealth to withdraw the case after witnesses twice failed to appear in court to testify.