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The Hoke County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday night that it had identified the suspect in the attack as Michael Lee Nivens, 34.
Nivens, of the 100 block of Piney Grove in Raeford, is being charged with attempted first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
He was arrested Thursday in Robeson County without incident, Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said Thursday. Nivens is being held on $2 million bond.
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The sheriff said Nivens is also being charged in a sexual assault and multiple break-ins and thefts from churches across Hoke County, including at Community United Methodist Church, Truth and Faith Pentecostal Church of Deliverance, Shiloh Presbyterian Church, and Helping Hands Worship Center.
Nivens is charged with:
- attempted first degree murder
- robbery with a dangerous weapon
- first-degree forcible rape
- first-degree forcible sex offense
- break & enter - place of worship (4 counts)
- larceny after break/enter (4 counts)
- conspire to break/enter a place of worship
- larceny of motor vehicle
- possess firearm by felon
- obtain property by false pretense
- failure to appear - assault on a female
The school incident happened Monday about 5:40 p.m. Hoke County Sheriff's deputies were called to West Hoke Elementary School after authorities said an unknown man walked into the school and asked about a former school employee before attacking the teacher.
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The teacher was seriously injured and taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. She continues to recover from her injuries, the sheriff said.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to please contact the Hoke County Sheriff's Office at (910) 875-5111.