Ex-UNC Worker Faces 33 New Felony Charges

Dwayne Russell Edwards, 33, of 100 Rock Haven Road, Apt. M-304, was charged by Carrboro police on Thursday with first-degree rape and several counts of first- and second-degree sexual assaults, which occurred in late December.

He also was charged with other felony offenses, including larceny and kidnapping.

Edwards, who has previous arrests in Cumberland County, was first arrested and charged with seven different felonies by Chapel Hill police Tuesday in connection with the rape of a UNC student that occurred on Hillsborough Street.

The Durham Herald-Sun reported that Edwards also has served prison time in Jackson Co., Ill., for burglary and forgery and was released on parole after one year. He was then released from parole in August of 1999.

The first local assault occurred Dec. 22 at Ridgehaven Townhomes and the first rape was reported at 1000 Smith Level Road on Dec. 26., according to police reports.

Carrboro police Capt. Joel Booker said investigators issued a warrant for Edwards' arrest for the two December assaults after searching his home and his upstart business, Edwards Educational Center at 705-A W. Rosemary St.

"After the (Chapel Hill) assault on Tuesday, we had another piece of the puzzle," Booker said.

"Once the search warrant was served, it brought into the picture the other crimes."

Both assaults happened within a small geographic area, although in the first assault there was no evidence of forced entry, Booker said.

"The apartment complex Edwards lives in is on the other side of the road from where the assault occurred," he said. "Between the two assaults, the level of force and violence did go up."

In addition to the assaults, police suspect Edwards was involved in nine cases of breaking and entering, Booker said.

"The breaking and entering mainly happened during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when students were away on break," he said.

Also, police are investigating other unsolved cases for a connection to Edwards, Booker said.

"We're looking at him for other charges," he said. "We are sharing information with other organizations. It's likely that other charges will follow."

Booker could not comment about any additional subsequent arrests that might occur.

Edwards was arrested Tuesday morning based on information broadcasted by Chapel Hill police.

With this information, the Carrboro police arrested Edwards during a traffic stop, Booker said.

"Based on the vehicle stop, he was arrested for a concealed weapon and traffic violations," he said. "He was then taken to Chapel Hill to be questioned for the rape."

Despite the number of offenses involved, Booker said police suspect no one else in the crimes.

"We have lodged charges only on Edwards," he said.

"We are relieved that the case is solved."

The City Editor can be reached

at citydesk@unc.edu.