CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's note: This story discusses a sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said less than a day after a sexual assault survivor called for help, a man is now facing charges and in jail.
Sgt. Allison Rooks with CMPD's Sexual Assault Unit shared more details during a news briefing Saturday afternoon. She said the alleged assault happened in the Metro Division along Glenwood Drive, near Tuckaseegee Road around 11:30 p.m. Friday. According to Rooks, a woman was walking home along Glenwood Drive when a man approached and started making conversation with the survivor.
The suspect then reportedly took the woman away from the main thoroughfare by force and further assaulted her. However, Rooks said the survivor was able to get away and call CMPD for help. Officers arrived on the scene to begin the investigation, and Rooks said the survivor was taken to a hospital for an examination and treatment.
CMPD later shared surveillance photos of the man they named as a person of interest. Just after 8 p.m. Saturday, however, police said they had found him.
In a news release, CMPD announced 29-year-old Octavis Wayne Deandra Wilson was named as the suspect. Officers said they were patrolling in the Metro Division around 5 p.m. when they saw Wilson, who resembled the description given by the survivor. He was taken into custody for questioning, and eventually transported to the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.
Wilson is now charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree forcible rape, attempted second-degree forcible sexual offense, assault on a female, and sexual battery.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed what happened can call 704-336-3600 to talk with detectives. Anonymous tips can also be shared with Crime Stoppers by calling 704-334-1600 or by submitting information online.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.