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Crime

Opelika man arrested and charged with kidnapping and attempted rape first degree: Auburn Police

CNAW Newsroom —
Opelika man arrested and charged with kidnapping and attempted rape first degree: Auburn Police

Auburn Police arrested Rusbi Arael Chilel-Perez, age 29, from Opelika, AL on felony warrants charging him with kidnapping first degree and attempted rape first degree on August 12, 2023.

The arrest stems from Auburn Police receiving a report of a sexual assault that occurred in the area of North College Street and West Magnolia Avenue. Officers met with a victim that reported being assaulted during the early hours of Aug. 12.

“The victim stated a male suspect, who was unknown to the victim, began trying to interact with the victim while she was in the downtown area. The suspect eventually took physical control of the victim and abducted her to a secluded area close-by,” police said. “The victim stated the suspect began using force to attempt to engage in sexual intercourse.”

The victim resisted and was able to escape, contacting Auburn police officers who were conducting foot patrol in the downtown area.

Rusbi Arael Chilel-Perez was developed as a suspect, and he was located driving a vehicle in the downtown area. Officers directed him to stop before he fled in the vehicle at a high rate of speed. Chilel-Perez crashed his vehicle into light poles at multiple intersections causing the vehicle to become disabled at the intersection of North Dean Road and Opelika Road.

Chilel-Perez fled on foot and he was apprehended by officers near the 1000 block of Opelika Road.

In addition to being arrested for kidnapping first degree and attempted rape first degree, Chilel-Perez was also charged with driving under the influence, public intoxication and attempting to elude, associated with his flight from officers.

Chilel-Perez was transported to the Lee County Jail and held without bond pending further judicial review.

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