Lumberton man charged with multiple rapes

A Lumberton man was arrested in connection with multiple rapes and robberies in Robeson County, the sheriff’s office said Monday.

Jonathan Candelaria, 24, was charged with three counts of first-degree forcible sex offense, two counts of second-degree rape, one count of second-degree forcible sex offense, four counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of common law robbery.

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said one assault occurred in August 2019 in Maxton, and one occurred on Sept. 21 in Lumberton. Another occurred on Oct. 7 in Fairmont, and a fourth occurred on March 15 in Lumberton.

Candelaria was being held in the Robeson County jail under a $3 million bond.

Anyone with information about the cases or about unreported cases can call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100 or at 910-671-3170.