First Posted: 1/15/2009

LUMBERTON -- Lumberton police believe they have arrested a man Monday wanted for attempted rape and at least two burglaries in East Lumberton.
Gordon Leavander Smith, 20, of 407 E. First St., was charged Monday with felony second-degree forcible sexual offense, felony attempted second-degree rape, felony kidnapping and two counts of felony first-degree burglary.
Smith is being held at the Robeson County jail under a $140,000 bond.
An attempted rape and first-degree burglary were reported about 2:15 a.m. Sunday at an East Sixth Street home.
The woman told police that a man broke into her home while she was asleep. Police Chief Robert Grice said the man entered the home by breaking into the back door of the home and that he fled before officers got there.
Smith's second count of first-degree burglary charge stems from a burglary that was reported at 3:10 a.m. Monday at an East Ninth Street residence. According to the police, the burglar entered the home after cutting the screen on an already-open window on the side of the house. The woman resident said that a man was in her home when she awoke. She said he fled on foot when she screamed.
Grice said police have received reports that Smith had been seen in the east Lumberton area on several occasions. Detectives Harold Jackson and Pete Locklear put together the information to make the arrest.
Nothing was stolen in either of the reported incidents, Grice said.
“We're very pleased to get this man off the streets, especially this quickly,” Grice said.