A man has admitted to the rape and beating of a Lancaster woman three years ago in the city.
Robert R. Pitt, now 20, recently pleaded guilty in Lancaster County Court to nine charges, including felony counts of rape and robbery.
Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright accepted the plea and will order sentence after a background check is completed in about 90 days.
Lancaster city police used DNA evidence to connect Pitt to the Aug. 10, 2014, attack in the 400 block of South Duke Street.
Pitt was a stranger to the victim.
Pitt was a prison inmate last year when his DNA profile matched evidence from the crime scene. Detective Robert Whiteford filed charges.
Pitt was a week short of his 18th birthday when he targeted the woman, taking her cellphone as she tried to call for help.
The woman eventually broke free from the attacker and was taken to an area hospital.
Assistant District Attorney Karen Mansfield petitioned the case to be tried in adult court; a judge granted that motion.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright