Child in bed next to rape victim during Lancaster attack by Chesco man: DA

Efrain Mateo, 49, of the 3500 block of Blue Rock Road in Manor Township, who is accused of the brutal attack, was arrested Friday, Oct. 11, in Chester County, prosecutors said.

The manhunt was a coordinated effort by Manor Township Police, the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Task Force, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and county detectives.

He is said to have entered a woman’s home in the early hours of October 3rd.

He then bound her hands “with duct tape while she lay in bed, then held a pocket knife to the woman’s neck and threatened to stab and cut her before raping her,” according to the prosecutor, who added that ” an eight year old child was also in bed at this time.

The victim had an active PFA against Mateo at the time of the offense.

Court records show Mateo faces charges of simple assault and making terroristic threats.

According to his most recent court filing, he was accused of:

• Crime, rape, threats of violent coercion.
• Crime, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, threats, violent coercion.
• Burglary – overnight accommodations; Person present, bodily harm offense.
• Misdemeanor terroristic threats with intent to terrorize others.
• Simple assault.
• Misdemeanor, indecent assault, violent coercion.
• Offense endangering the welfare of children – parents/guardians/others commit a criminal offence.
• Serious bodily harm – threat of violent coercion.
• Unlawful possession of weapons.

Judge Torrey Landis denied Mateo bail “for public safety reasons,” so he remains in the Lancaster County Jail, according to prosecutors.

His preliminary hearing will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, before Judge Joshua R. Keller, according to court records for the case.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lapp will prosecute the case.

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