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Lansford man accused of raping teen, 14

A Lansford man on Tuesday broke into a borough home and raped a teenager who was taking a shower, police say.

Malcolm S. Harris, 29, of 221 W. Abbott St., is charged with rape, statutory sexual assault against a minor, aggravated indecent assault, burglary and unlawful restraint.He was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford, and jailed under $200,000 bail.Harris also faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance he was not authorized to have, and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from police officers' discovery of heroin and other illegal drugs in his home.Bail was set at $50,000 on those charges.According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Officer Charles Horvath, police took Harris into custody on Wednesday, before he could flee to New York City.The 14-year-old victim told police she was home alone and in the shower at about 7 p.m. when she heard someone come into the house, climb the stairs and enter the bathroom.Harris, she said, took off his clothes before getting into the shower and raping her.After the assault, Harris dressed, warned the victim not to say anything, and went into the kitchen, where he put his used condom in the trash.The victim told Harris to get out, and as he moved toward the front door, she pushed him from behind and locked the door.That night, the victim cried herself to sleep, police say.The next day after school, she told her parents of the assault.Her stepfather called police, and her mother retrieved the condom and its wrapper from the trash.Police Chief Jack Soberick sent the condom, along with other evidence, to the state police regional crime lab in Wyoming, Luzerne County.Patrolman Timothy Wuttke interviewed the victim on Wednesday evening. She gave him a written statement, identified Harris, with whom she was acquainted, and described the clothing he was wearing that night.Results from a sexual assault exam also were sent to the state police lab.Police, who were familiar with Harris, heard he was planning to leave for New York City, so they took him into custody.Harris refused to talk with police, citing his right to have a lawyer present.

Harris