Home Invasion and Rape Suspect Erick M. Howard Arrested

have arrested , who is suspected in a of a female resident in the 1100 block of Sunford Avenue Aug. 20.

Police arrested Howard about 2 p.m. today on charges of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; rape, a first-degree felony; and theft, a fifth-degree felony.

Howard, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in at the Stark County Jail today, according to a news release from the t. Stark County Jail officials said about 3 p.m. today that they don't have Howard booked into the jail yet.

The Canton Repository reported today Howard will be represented by attorney Rufus Sims of Cleveland, who defended Anthony Sowell this summer in a serial murder trial.

Two others were arrested before today. They are Michael A. Taylor, who police say drove the getaway car from the apartment, and Seth. R. Obermiller, 19, of North Canton, who police say helped Howard break into the apartment and rob the two residents.

Police said two men had broken into the couple's Meadowbrook Apartments home through the basement window. They woke up the couple, pointed handguns in their faces, duct taped their hands and feet and taped over their mouths. They demanded their cellphones and stole $1,000 cash, a pair of earrings and other belongings before leaving in a car.

The woman told police she also had been raped. She was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where she was treated and released shortly after.

Check back with North Canton Patch for more updates to this story.

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