Dowagiac Public Safety Director Tom Atkinson reports that officers of his department Saturday were investigating a home invasion that resulted in a sexual assault.

The victim alleged that around 4:30 a.m. the suspect entered her residence, uninvited, and proceeded to commit a sexual assault at knifepoint, leaving the residence about one hour later.

The victim followed, calling dispatch on her cell phone to report the crime.

With the assistance of the victim, dispatchers of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were able to direct officers to the location of the suspect.

Officers of the Dowagiac Police Department were dispatched to the corner of S. Front and Commercial streets after being advised that the suspect in the sexual assault was in that area.

Officers were given a physical description of the suspect, and while searching the area found someone matching that description in an alley about a block from the crime scene.
Officers had to chase the individual, who refused to stop at their commands.

Officers deployed a Taser and the suspect was brought under control near the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Both the suspect and the victim were taken to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment.

After treatment, the suspect was taken to the Cass County Jail and lodged on charges of home invasion, criminal sexual conduct and resisting and obstructing.

Police withheld his name pending arraignment.