Fayetteville police searching for sex assault suspect

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Authorities in Fayetteville are trying to identify a suspect wanted in connection with a sexual assault that was reported Monday.

Police said the victim told authorities she was stopped along Ramsey Street near Rosehill Road around 4 a.m. Sunday when a man got into the passenger's seat of her vehicle.

The suspect had a handgun and demanded that the victim begin to drive.

According to police, the victim was told to drive to an unknown location along a dirt road, where she was raped. After the assault, the suspect fled on foot.

The suspect was described as a white man in his mid-to-late 30's with a thin build, standing about 6'2" to 6'3" tall. He was described as having a pale complexion, dark brown hair and a goatee.

The suspect had a strong southern accent and was wearing a black ball cap and black gloves. He had a tattoo on his left arm, which could have included a sword or a cross. The victim also recalled that the suspect smelled strongly of marijuana.

Anyone with information regarding the sexual assault or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Detective P. Matrafailo with the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 322-4101 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).