UPDATE
05/03/2014 — Paul Earnest Howard Jr had a bail hearing on April 30. He is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
UPDATE (April 30):
Paul Earnest Howard Jr was taken into custody by Baltimore County Police this morning. Tips from the public led police to a location in Baltimore City where Mr Howard was found. He has been questioned by detectives and will have a bail hearing sometime today.
The Baltimore County Police Department would like to thank the media, the residents of Rodgers Forge, and all of the other the citizens who helped us spread the word about Mr Howard and bring him to justice.
UPDATE (April 29):
Baltimore County Police have obtained an arrest warrant for 50-year-old Paul Earnest Howard Jr (no fixed address) in connection with the April 26 assault of a 98-year-old woman in her Rodgers Forge home.The warrant charges Paul Earnest Howard Jr with:
- Attempted First Degree Rape
- Third Degree Sex Offense
- First Degree Assault
- Theft less than $100
The investigation into this incident has indicated that the suspect attempted to rape the victim while he was in her home. Investigators feel that he is a danger to the community and need the public’s assistance to apprehend him.
Police are asking anyone with information on Paul Earnest Howard Jr or where he might be to call police at 410-307-2020.
Original release (April 28):
Baltimore County Police are investigating an assault on an elderly woman that occurred in her Rodgers Forge home.
On April 26 at 7:46 p.m., the Baltimore County Fire Department responded to a home in the 200 block of Gaywood Road in Rodgers Forge for a medical alert alarm. Upon arriving at the scene, Fire Department personnel observed an elderly female lying on the floor of the location. After speaking with the female, they called for police to respond.
The initial investigation into this incident has indicated that between noon and 1 p.m., the suspect knocked on the back door to the home. When the 98-year-old victim came to the door, the suspect stated that he was selling home improvement services.
The suspect left when the victim told him she had someone who took care of home repairs for her. Several hours later, the suspect returned to the home, knocked on the back door, and asked to come inside. The victim let the suspect into her home. When she asked the suspect when he was going to leave, the suspect threw her to the ground.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 40s with a tan complexion. His skin tone is also described as “weathered” like that of a person who spends a great deal of time outdoors. He is 5’7” to 5’8”, weighs between 170 and 180 pounds and has light brown/gray short hair with a receding hair line. He was last seen wearing cargo shorts and may have tattoos on his arms. A person matching the suspect’s description has been seen in the area recently.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.
Police remind residents to not let people who they do not know into their homes and to report all suspicious activity to police.
The initial investigation into this incident has indicated that between noon and 1 p.m., the suspect knocked on the back door to the home. When the 98-year-old victim came to the door, the suspect stated that he was selling home improvement services
