Fire at rape suspect's home not considered suspicious

Investigators say a fire early Wednesday morning that destroyed the home of a Robeson County man accused of rape was caused by a coffee pot and was not a case of arson.

Alphonso Chacon, 31, of 79 Lariat Court in Parkton, was arrested last week on charges including rape and first-degree kidnapping in an alleged Dec. 11 sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl.

Chacon's mother, Linda Chacon, said she awoke to the fire around 5:30 a.m.

Investigators say that four rapes have been reported in the Parkton area since late November. In each case, the victims were lured to a mobile home on Lariat Court, were held at gunpoint and forced to drive to a secluded area along a nearby road where they were assaulted.

Alphonso Chacon, who is charged in only one of the cases, also faces charges of second-degree sexual offense, felony conspiracy and robbery with a deadly weapon.

Investigators said Tuesday that more arrests and charges are expected.