CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested in connection with a sexual assault and police pursuit early Thursday morning will be in court Friday.
Police said they were called to Aspen Peak Apartments on North Wind Place where a 25-year-old woman said she was physically and sexually assaulted by an armed man inside her home around 1 a.m.
Police identified that man as 24-year-old Derek Antonio Smith and said he broke into the woman's apartment while she was at work and was inside waiting for her when she walked in the door.
The victim told police the man also stole her laptop, credit cards, phone and cash before taking off in her car.
A short time later, police located the Smith and the stolen vehicle at a gas station near Statesville Avenue and Interstate 85.
As Smith sped off, officers attempted to stop him and after roughly a mile pursuit, police used stop sticks to disable the vehicle and took him into custody.
"In this case she did everything that we would ask a victim to do. She was able to properly give us all the info we needed," said CMPD Capt. Cecil Brisbon.
Police have charged Smith with three counts of first-degree sexual offense, first-degree rape, first-degree burglary, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, felony flee to elude and several related charges.
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