LEXINGTON, N.C. — A Lexington man was arrested after police said he broke into a home Saturday and attempted to commit sexual assault on a woman.
Tomika Fuller walked WMFY News 2's Itinease McMiller through how a stranger broke into her Lexington home in the middle of the night on Saturday.
"He came in through the screen here," Fuller shared. "This window was open."
Once the intruder got in he made his way to Fuller's bedroom where she was woken up out of her sleep by a real nightmare.
"He wanted to force me to do some things," Fuller said. "He had a gun and I was terrified and I was worried about my family in the house."
Fuller although terrified stayed calm and managed to talk her way out of engaging in any of his demands.
"I was able to talk to and persuade him to let me make sure everyone was okay," Fuller said. "But the whole time he was asking me to do those things."
She made it downstairs where she hoped she’d be able to get outside to call for help.
"Luckily my son was coming in the door," Fuller said. "He told me to get rid of my son or he was going to shoot my son."
Fuller’s son was able to call the police and minutes later they arrived.
"And the guy was coming out and I was yelling hey hey hey," Fuller said. "And they followed him to the store."
Lexington Police said they learned the suspect had left the area in a dark truck as they arrived on the scene. During a traffic stop, officers found the driver, 42-year-old Brandon James Simmons, near the area.
Investigators said probable cause led them to believe Simmons was the suspect in this case. When officers arrested him, they seized a loaded gun, multiple tablets of LSD, and drug paraphernalia.
Lexington police said Simmons was charged with the following:
- 1st Degree Burglary
- assault by pointing a gun
- assault on a female
- attempted first-degree forcible sex offense
- false imprisonment
- possession of a scheduled I controlled substance
- possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while impaired
- no operator license
- carrying a concealed weapon
Simmons is in the Davidson County Jail without bond.
"The police force cares about the victims here," Fuller said gratefully. "But I’m still processing it."
Fuller said she didn’t know Simmons and didn’t know why he chose her home.
She said she has only been living there for 6 months.
She hopes no one else has to go through what she did but has this message to others.
"When things like that happen you try not to panic because any wrong move can be your last move," Fuller said. "The police station is two blocks down the road. If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone. So be aware of your surroundings. No place is a fortress."
Due to the quick response, investigation, and apprehension of Simmons by LPD officers, a dangerous individual and a firearm were taken off the streets. LPD detectives and Special Victim’s Unit are continuing to follow up and assist with the investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Lexington Crimestoppers at 336-243-2400.
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