Police: Woman fights off attempted sex assault suspect in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Detectives in Fayetteville have arrested 33-year-old Phillip Eugene Simms, who they said held a woman at gunpoint and tried to sexually assault her.
Police said Simms was at the victim's residence in the 400 block of Ritter Drive around 6:20 a.m. Wednesday. Detectives revealed the victim knew Simms.
Simms reportedly showed the victim a handgun and ordered her to take off her clothing. He threatened to "blow her head off if she didn't take off her clothes," police said.
The victim was able to fight Simms off, and he fled the area with the victim's cell phone.
The victim described Simms, from Hope Mills, as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 220 pounds, with dreadlocks a little longer than shoulder length.
Detectives have obtained arrest warrants charging Simms with attempted first-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, armed robbery, and communicating threats.
Simms turned himself in to Robeson County authorities around 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective A. Caldwell with the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 366-5853 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).
