Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — Roanoke Rapids police are searching for a man they say forced his way into a house with a sledgehammer and sexually assaulted a woman inside.

The assault took place during the early morning hours Wednesday in a house off Allsbrook Highway.

The victim told police that a man used a sledgehammer to knock in the front door of her house. Once inside, the man placed the woman and her child in separate bedrooms. While separated, the man held the woman at gunpoint and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Allen Thomas Grant of Gaston was charged by police with first-degree burglary, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, first-degree kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of burglary tools, interfering with emergency communications and assault on a female.

Grant was last seen driving a white 2005 Chevrolet Silverado extended-cab pickup, with North Carolina plates, TTN1425.