Hope Mills woman reports rape, attempted robbery

Hope Mills, N.C. — Cumberland County sheriff’s detectives were searching for an unknown man Wednesday morning after a Hope Mills woman reported that he kicked in her front door, raped her and tried to rob her before running away.

Investigators said they were called to the woman's home off Legion Road shortly before 7:30 a.m.

The man was last seen wearing a mask and a fur-trimmed brown coat. Sheriff’s K9s were combing the area and last tracked the man near a vacant home near the woman's house, according to detectives.

Anyone with information, or who may have seen a suspicious-looking man in the area, is urged to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 910-323-1500.

"In the meantime, Sheriff Earl R. Butler is warning residents to be extremely cautious," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Keep doors and windows to your homes secured and areas well lit. If you see any unusual activity in your neighborhood, contact the sheriff’s office immediately."

"It makes me sick. It's very disturbing for something like this to happen, and to happen so close to home also," said Richard Whitley, a Legion Road resident.

Butler said there is no indication that Wednesday's attack is linked to a series of rapes in the Fayetteville area since 2009.

"We don't see any similarities right now," he said. "Of course, we always talk back and forth with the city and surrounding areas about rapes."

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Latest Comments

The story doesn't say "attempted" anymore.

A mask and a fur trimmed coat???

Sounds para-military or military wannabe.

Could it be???

RB-1
November 24, 2010 7:32 p.m.

I hate to admit it, but my first thought was mugu's point followed up by kilquian's point. Something doesn't seem right. But putting that aside, the guy should still be held responsible. impatientgirl's comment is a good one in explaining what might have made this less a logical attack. it is all speculation.

clickhere
November 24, 2010 7:10 p.m.

DizzyDaphnee- the rich buy their doors are Lowe's and Home Depot like everyone else.

impatientgirl
November 24, 2010 4:53 p.m.

Of course they cant say what he looks like right? Just what he's wearing and "suspicious"? And to the fending off being robbed but not raped doubters, he would be going on adrenaline in the beginning but not in the end right? And who's to say something in the environment didn't scare him off not just her or remorse? Its all speculation people. Don't be so quick to dismiss someone who says she was raped.

impatientgirl
November 24, 2010 4:49 p.m.

I see there are a lot of skeptics posting here today and I'm probably one of the biggest one, I always tend to doubt stories like this.

I too feel there is something fishy about the woman's story. It's beginning to look like he wanted something but she wanted more than the something he offering.

This story reminded of the woman that said she was walking alone through the woods after midnight [mind you] and she was accosted by an unknown man, yeah, as if I was supposed to believe that one.

I just hope that what I have written here isn't too strong for WRAL's sensitive eyes.

airbornemonty
November 24, 2010 3:16 p.m.