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Woman sexually assaulted, kidnapped in north Charlotte

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the suspect broke into a woman's home, assaulted her and forced her to drive him to another location before leaving.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A convicted rapist who was recently released from prison is facing multiple charges after police said he broke into a woman's home in north Charlotte, sexually assaulted her and then kidnapped the victim.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to an apartment complex on Daybreak Drive, not far from Graham Street and Interstate 85, Thursday morning. The victim, a 63-year-old woman, told officers the suspect broke into her home, then physically and sexually assaulted her. He then forced her to drive him somewhere else, CMPD said. 

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The suspect, identified as Robert Lamar McFadden, was linked to an earlier burglary that happened on the same street around 4 a.m. Thursday. When CMPD responded to the burglary at 4 a.m., they were unable to locate McFadden at the scene. Detectives said he returned to the area around 9 a.m., and he was arrested later that day by CMPD. 

"They just pull off and leave -- and the guy was probably in the same neighborhood," said one of the residents, named Eugene. "There’s plenty of places to hide down here."

McFadden was charged with first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree forcible rape, two counts of first-degree forcible sex offense, communicating threats of assault on a female and first-degree kidnapping in connection with the incident. 

Neighbors in the area said they are on edge. They described the neighborhood as quiet and relatively safe. Eugene said it's mainly seniors who live in the apartment complex. He heard about the attack from one of his neighbors.

"They said she was raped and beaten and the guy broke in," said Eugene. "And he’s been charged for rape before and was just let out of prison. So it’s a shame that our system is like it is."

Police said McFadden was released on May 25, but online records from both the state say he was released on April 25. Previously, he was convicted of rape on the same street in 2010. A detective said McFadden was well-known by officers who patrolled the area. 

"Patrol officers know Mr. McFadden from previous incidents," CMPD said. "They were influential in identifying him as a potential person to look at due to his previous acts in that community with the rape in 2010. He's known to the officers out there for many years." 

The complex does not have a closed gated entry but there are cameras that face the entrance. But some said it’s not enough.

“I think as far as for the women, especially the people who are on the backside… maybe they should have security riding around here periodically,” said Barbara Brodie-smith, visiting a loved one.

Any person with information about this case or any other crime is asked to call CMPD's anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 704-334-1600. 

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