Waterville Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting An Elderly Woman

A Waterville man is facing multiple charges after an alleged attack on a 73-year-old woman.

WABI-TV reports the woman told police that a man broke into her house early Sunday morning, put a pillowcase over her head, and raped her. He allegedly then beat her with a gun and forced her to take a shower, in an attempt to destroy evidence of the assault.

Police followed footprints in the snow to a nearby lot, where they found keys and a gun. The keys were to a house that suspect Mark Halle, age 23 of Waterville, was renting from his sister. Investigators questioned Halle, who eventually confessed to the crime.

He's being held at the Kennebec County Jail, without bail, and is charged with felony counts of gross sexual assault, burglary, aggravated assault, assault, and criminal threatening.

Police say the woman suffered bruises from being beaten by what was later determined to be a pellet gun, and was taken to the hospital. She called police, once Halle was in custody, and thanked them for their help.

Investigators consider this a random attack.