Transient accused of raping woman, 80

A 44-year-old transient man appeared today in Clark County Superior Court on accusations that he raped and imprisoned an 80-year-old Vancouver woman.

Robert E. Danais was held on $150,000 bail. His arraignment is Feb. 21. Jeff Barrar was appointed as his defense attorney.

The victim met Danais one day when she tripped and fell after stepping off a bus, according to court records. He helped gather her groceries and carried them back to her apartment.

After that, he made a habit of visiting her and occasionally bought her groceries, records state. At 10 p.m. Aug. 29, Danais allegedly knocked on the door of her downtown Vancouver apartment. She answered the door in her walker.

Danais then tripped her and raped her on the floor in the entryway of the apartment, according to court documents. Afterwards, he wouldn’t leave the apartment and showed her a knife.

She told police she remained in the apartment out of fear he would harm her if she tried to leave. When she didn’t pick up her phone, her daughter became alarmed and contacted the apartment manager to check on her.

When the manager opened the apartment, she saw Danais. The victim then told the apartment manager the man would not leave.