A 20-year-old man was charged Wednesday in an apartment break-in that police said included armed robbery and the sexual assault of two women.
Antonio Raheem Matthews, Grand Forks, was in custody on unrelated municipal warrants when he was arrested Tuesday night in connection with the incident, according to Grand Forks Police Lt. Jim Remer.
In an affidavit filed Wednesday by the Grand Forks County State's Attorney Office, Matthews was charged with three counts of gross sexual imposition, a class AA felony, as well as two counts of robbery and felonious restraint. He was also charged with one count of terrorizing.
Between 1 and 2 a.m. Monday, police say a man entered an apartment in the 3400 block of 13th Avenue North through a sliding glass door. Once inside, he pointed a handgun at a woman who lived there and demanded money.
Another woman awoke when she heard the other's screams, according to court documents. The victims handed over their cell phones, which were later recovered in a vehicle police say belongs to Matthews, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
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Over the next 30 to 45 minutes, Matthews allegedly took turns assaulting the women, making one wait in a bathroom or closet while the other was assaulted, police said. The women were taken to Altru Hospital but did not need treatment for any serious physical injury, police said.
Matthews was tracked down by police "based on his physical description and tattoos on his body," according to the affidavit. Remer said in a Wednesday morning news conference that Matthews was arrested at the Cenex gas station on Gateway Drive.
Matthews' listed address of 3514 11th Ave. N. is a short walk from where the alleged crime took place.
In court papers, police said clothing matching the description of the alleged assailant was found in Matthews' home and/or car. Officers recovered two handguns described in the affidavit as pellet guns from his home, but it's not clear if either was the weapon used by the assailant Monday morning.
Remer said police are not looking for anyone else connected with the incident, but still asked the public for any other information that might help. Remer declined to say whether Matthews knew the victims.
Remer said police have interviewed Matthews, but declined to disclose any details of that conversation.
Matthews' Facebook page lists Philadelphia as his hometown, but it's unclear how long he has lived here.
Matthews' bail was set at $500,000 and was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victims.
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Call Hageman at (701) 780-1244; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1244; or send email to jhageman@gfherald.com . Follow him on Twitter @jhageman_
