At a Glance
- John Vernon Gray, 22, is charged with raping a woman in her 90s inside her unlocked apartment at Dock Woods Senior Living Community.
- DNA from the victim’s clothing and cellphone records tied Gray to the May 10, 2025 assault and three earlier or later break-ins at the same campus.
- Gray, currently held without bail, was first encountered by police that morning during a suicide call one mile away.
Why it matters: The case exposes safety gaps in senior-living security and shows how digital forensics can connect scattered crimes.
A 22-year-old man is behind bars without bail after Montgomery County investigators used DNA and phone data to charge him with raping a nonagenarian in her bedroom at Dock Woods Senior Living Community in Lansdale.
The Night of the Attack
The victim told police she was asleep at 3 a.m. on May 10, 2025, when she woke to find a stranger standing inside her bedroom. When she asked what he wanted, the man replied, “I want you,” and claimed he had seen her in the cafeteria and thought she was beautiful.
According to the criminal complaint, the man then raped the woman while she remained in bed. Afterward, he paced the room, saying he lived in Blue Bell and also in a group home. He begged her not to tell anyone before leaving through the unlocked front door. The victim estimated he had been inside for roughly an hour.
She reported the assault four days later, launching what detectives called a lengthy investigation.
How Police Found Their Suspect
About 90 minutes after the rape, Towamencin officers responded to a mental-health emergency on Stockton Drive, approximately one mile from Dock Woods. There they found John Vernon Gray of Telford in suicidal distress and transported him for psychiatric care.
Detectives later obtained Gray’s cellphone records and compared his DNA to evidence recovered from the victim’s clothing. The match, combined with surveillance and timeline analysis, led to his arrest. Investigators also linked Gray to:
- An attempted break-in at Dock Woods the same morning, targeting a 79-year-old woman’s apartment.
- Two separate break-ins on Nov. 8, 2025, at Dock Woods and a nearby facility, one of which included an indecent assault.
After the November incidents, police followed a car leaving the scene to Stockton Drive-the same apartment where Gray had been taken in May. When questioned, Gray wore the same clothing seen in security footage.
Charges and Court Status
Gray faces multiple felonies:
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Indecent assault
- Burglary
- Related offenses
Thus far, he has been formally charged only in the May 10 sexual assault. Prosecutors say additional counts are possible as the investigation continues. A judge denied bail, and Gray remains in Montgomery County Prison. Online court files do not yet list an attorney for him.
Community Reaction
Neighbors told News Of Philadelphia that on Jan. 10, 2026, police searched a Telford home believed connected to the case. Investigators have not confirmed what, if anything, was seized.
Dock Woods administrators declined to detail security changes, citing the open investigation. Residents interviewed by News Of Philadelphia expressed shock that an outsider could roam the campus undetected, especially during pre-dawn hours.
Help for Victims
Resources for victims of sexual assault:
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: 800-656-4673
Key Takeaways
- DNA and phone records proved decisive in identifying a suspect four months after the crime.
- The same man is now tied to four separate incidents targeting seniors in one retirement community.
- Gray’s initial contact with police came through an unrelated mental-health call, highlighting how routine welfare checks can intersect with major investigations.
- Senior-living facilities face renewed scrutiny over after-hours access controls and resident safety protocols.
Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to contact the Montgomery County Detective Bureau.
