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Fake cop rapes woman, police say

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Police have arrested a man accused of posing as a police officer and raping a woman.

Wayne Ford, 42, is charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping, sex offense, armed robbery and impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Police say Ford met his victim on Tuesday and immediately surprised her.

Sergeant Darrell Price heads Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s sexual assault unit. He said, “When he knocked on the door he presented a badge and a gun."

The victim posted an ad on Craigslist, which Ford answered. The 4 a.m. meeting took place at the Comfort Inn and Suites on University City Boulevard.

"(He told) her he was a law enforcement officer and said either she would consent to the sexual activity or he would arrest her,” Price said.

Police searched Ford's Scaleybark area apartment Thursday afternoon. They didn’t find the badge so they can’t say whether it was real or fake.

Ford is no stranger to the law. In February of 2004 he was found guilty of indecent exposure. In May of 2005 he was found guilty of the same charge. A second charge of public masturbation was dismissed and in February of 2006 once again guilty of indecent exposure.

In April, Ford was arrested for a robbery very similar to what happened Tuesday. That crime happened in the apartments near Gateway Village. The victim had also posted a Craigslist ad. She was not sexually assaulted and the district attorney declined to prosecute the case.

Tuesday’s victim was also robbed in addition to being raped.

"Short of the usual psychological suffering, she is doing well,” Price said. “She will be a productive part of the prosecution I hope."

Police say the suspect went to great lengths not to leave any evidence behind, but he made the mistake of allegedly using his cell phone to call to call the victim.

“He made a lot of effort fortunately for us people who make a lot of effort they tend to miss some of the bigger things,” Price said.

Investigators won’t talk about any of the details of either of the Craigslist ads. In light of new case, they hope to get the district attorney to change his mind and prosecute that March robbery.