DUNN — It's the type of crime that would raise eyebrows even in big cities, but it happened in Dunn and has left the small town in shock.

Police are investigating the death of 38-year-old Tomas Cabreras, an immigrant farm worker found dead and hog-tied in an apartment. Police say they think the crime involves four friends who lived together in one room. One, Cabreras, is dead. Another escaped a similar fate. The other two are being sought by police.

Neighbors told WRAL-TV5'sMark Robertsthat the four men frequently had noisy parties, throwing empty bottles out the window. A man who rents another room in the same house, and who asked to remain anonymous, says the man who was killed paid rent for and took care of the other three men.

Police say the dead man was sexually assaulted and died of strangulation. His neck, feet and hands were tied. The second victim was also tied up and assaulted, but managed to escape and call police.

Joshua Gregg, who lives nearby, says neighbors are concerned.

Dunn Police Captain Eddie Draughton says there were no murders in Dunn in 1994 or 1995. There was one in November of 1996, but this is the second murder so far this year.

Draughton says they hope this is the end of a cycle of crime in Dunn.