Cary police search for man wanted in sexual assault

Investigators are searching for a man wanted for sexually assaulting a woman in her home Saturday.

Posted 9:08 p.m. Apr 14, 2014 — Updated 2:41 a.m. Apr 15, 2014

CARY, N.C. — Investigators are searching for a man wanted for sexually assaulting a woman in her home Saturday.

The 20-year-old woman told police the man, who was behind her in traffic, followed her home at the Hawthorne at the Parkway to warn her of damage to her vehicle. After thanking him, the woman headed to her apartment where the man pushed her inside as she unlocked her door, police said.

The suspect is described as a clean-shaven, light skinned black male with short black hair and green eyes that investigators believe could be contacts. He is about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 200 pounds. The suspect was last seen driving a red or burgundy SUV.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cary police at 919-469-4012 or Cary CrimeStoppers at 919-460-4636. CrimeStoppers pays up to $2,500 for confidential information leading to arrest or indictment.

Cary police encourages residents to be aware of their surroundings at all times and issued the following tips:

• If anyone follows you, look confident and let him or her know you are aware of his/her presence. Don't be polite or engage in conversation.

• If they continue to follow you, cross the street and/or change directions.

• If this doesn't work, walk toward other people or occupied buildings and stay away from places where you might get cornered.

• If someone in a car follows you and is persistent or becomes obscene, write down the license tag number and report it to the police department or Highway Patrol as soon as possible.

• If you are trapped in your car, honk your horn in quick short bursts to attract people's attention.

• Make sure that all of the car doors are locked whenever you leave your vehicle.

• When returning to your car, have your keys ready so you can enter your car quickly and be aware of your surroundings. If you have to look into a purse or a pocket to find them, it takes extra time and you lose sight of what is around you, which could allow someone to sneak up on you.

• As you approach your car, look underneath to make sure no one is hiding there. Before you enter your car, look to see if all of the doors are locked or if there are any uninvited passengers in the back seat or on the floor. If your door locks are not the way you left them or you see someone inside, leave the area as quickly as possible and notify the police department.

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