(AP) — A man accused of sexually assaulting two young girls and tying up and beating their grandmother in her apartment was caught naked in the attic of the home, police in Mississippi said.
Keith Lamar Reeder, 46, fought with the Pearl police officer who found him in the attic Saturday afternoon, and the two fell through the ceiling before Reeder was arrested, news outlets reported.
The grandmother, a 54-year-old woman, called 911 to report a man had forced his way into her home, beat her and tied her up, officials said. She was able to free herself to call dispatchers, and was beaten again when the man discovered her on the phone, according to police.
The woman told investigators the man had sexually assaulted her granddaughters, who are both 12 or younger, according to Pearl city spokesman Greg Flynn.
Authorities have not determined any connection or relationship between Reeder and the victims, Flynn said.
Officer Wilkes Carter was deemed a hero by Chief Dean Scott. Carter was the first officer to the scene and did not wait for backup when he heard screams coming from inside the apartment, news outlets quoted Scott as saying. Carter found Reeder in the attic when the young girls said that’s where the man had fled.
Reeder was being held in jail without bond Monday, news outlets reported. It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.