Man faces sexual assault charges

Wantage — A Middletown, N.Y., man is facing multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault on a minor and other charges after an investigation into a Wantage Township home invasion.
Craig Lassiter, 33, was charged Oct. 4 with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault on a minor less than 13 years old, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault during the commission of a robbery and burglary, one county of first-degree robbery while threatening to use a deadly weapon, two counts of second-degree sexual assault ona minor younger than 13 years old, two counts of second degree sexual penetration while using physical force, one count of second-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare ofa child, two counts of third-degree criminal restraint, two counts of third-degree terroristic threats, one count of third-degree theft, two counts of fourth-degree sexual contact and one count of fourth-degree criminal trespassing.
On Monday, Sept. 18, at 2:07 a.m., troopers from Sussex Station responded to a Wantage Township residence after the homeowner called 9-1-1 to report a burglary. The caller advised dispatchers that he believed the burglar may still be in the residence. When troopers arrived, they attempted to stop a Chevrolet Silverado with New York license plates, which was driving away from the area of the burglary. When the trooper activated his overhead lights, the driver, later identified as Craig Lassiter, allegedly swerved around the troop car, ran over a mailbox, and sped away. Troopers were able to quickly locate the vehicle, which was abandoned in a field. Upon further investigation, troopers discovered that the truck was reported stolen out of New York. Lassiter was not located after an extensive search of the area.
When detectives and troopers continued their investigation at the residence, they discovered the incident was more than a burglary. It was determined that Lassiter allegedly entered the residence through and went into a bedroom shared by two juveniles. Once inside, he threatened the victims with physical violence, told them he had a gun, and sexually assaulted them. The juveniles eventually notified family members who searched the house and discovered their front door was left open.
Through various investigative means, detectives were able to identify Craig Lassiter as the suspect. Working with the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, New York State Police, Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, and the Middletown City Police Department, Lassiter was located and arrested on Friday, Sept. 22, in Bayshore, N.Y., as the result of arrest warrants issued by Sussex troopers for eluding and receiving stolen property. He was extradited to New Jersey on Friday, Sept. 29, and lodged in the Sussex County Jail pending additional charges.
Lassiter remains in Sussex County Jail awaiting a bail hearing.