Man charged in connection to Carrboro rape

Carrboro police charged a 19-year-old man with a violent rape Friday morning, which police say is unusual for the town.

Alejandro Artemio Chilel Romero, of 416 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree felony rape, first-degree felony attempted rape and felony breaking and entering.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, awoke early Friday morning to find someone in her residence.

Romero entered through an unlocked door, then attacked and raped her, said Carrboro Police Lt. Chris Atack.

The victim sustained injuries to the face and body and was taken to UNC Hospitals for treatment.

Atack said the victim did not know Romero, though they both live on South Greensboro Street.

He said the victim’s children were also in the residence at the time of the attack.

“She was in her house with just her kids,” he said. “At some point during the assault she was able to escape and went outside screaming.”

Police were called at about 1:05 a.m., but Atack said Romero had fled by the time they arrived at the scene.

According to police reports, a cellphone valued at $100 was also stolen during the incident.

Romero was then cited at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday for underage drinking and littering at the 400 block of South Greensboro Street, according to Carrboro police reports.

Romero falsely identified himself to police, according to an incident report.

He was arrested later that day in connection with the rape.

Atack said sexual assaults like these are rare in Carrboro, though he has seen several serial rapist cases during his 14 years at the department.

Police are investigating whether Romero has been involved in any other sexual assaults in the area.

“We’ve had incidents that are not on the level of sexual assaults but may be tied in with someone beginning to go down this avenue,” Atack said.

Romero is being held at the Orange County Jail on $1 million secured bond.

Atack said the police department is urging people to take safety precautions to secure their houses.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.