Ross Twp. Man Charged In Alleged Sexual Assault Case
ROSS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - A local dentist is facing charges in relation to the alleged sexual assault of a 20-year-old woman at his Ross Township home.
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged incident took place inside the home in the 100-block of Gadshill Place in Ross Township during Memorial Day weekend.
The woman had been tailgating outside of PNC Park before the Pittsburgh Pirates game.
The woman became intoxicated and decided to not attend the game, and instead, returned to the home.
Once inside, the woman went to a spare bedroom to lie down and sleep.
During her sleep, Bruce Lanke, 56, allegedly touched her inappropriately on three separate occasions. During the first two occasions, the victim said she did not fully wake up, but could tell something was happening.
On the third occasion, she did wake up fully to see Lanke leaving the room.
The victim did previously know Lanke, who is a dentist at the Dental Works in Robinson Township.
Neighbors say the are shocked over the allegations.
Pat Fawcett says Lanke graduated from North Hills High School with her own daughter in 1976.
"Very nice man, very nice family, lovely wife, three daughters," she said of Lanke's family.
"I don't know what happened to make him do something like this," Phil Rizzitano, another neighbor said. "He's a good man and has a good family."
Later, the victim went to police to report the incident. Lanke was brought in for questioning where he allegedly confessed to the crime.
According to the complaint, he told officers he had been drinking and "temptation got the better of him."
"He admitted it," said Det. Brian Kohlhepp, of Ross Township Police. "He said that temptation got the best of him and that he had been drinking some that night."
Lanke is now facing a list of charges including, indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
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