MURFREESBORO – Some sharp work by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the capture of an alleged rapist in the Pine Tops Road section of Murfreesboro.

Sheriff Juan Vaughan confirmed that Don McRea Smith of 542 Pine Tops Road was arrested at his residence at approximately 7:49 p.m. Tuesday and charged with several crimes pertaining to a rape and robbery involving a Murfreesboro woman and her children.

Vaughn reported that at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning his office received a call from a female who informed the Sheriff’s office that she had been robbed at gunpoint and subsequently raped.

According to the victim, she arrived at her home with her three children and upon exiting her vehicle she was approached by a man who asked her for money. When the woman informed the man that she didn’t have any money to give him, the suspect pulled out a handgun, held it to her head and demanded that she give him her debit card.

The suspect then placed the gun to the woman’s back and forced her and her three children into her house. Once inside the woman’s home, the suspect asked her to give him something that he could sell. The woman surrendered her DVD player, which the man placed inside of a black trash bag.

After securing the DVD player, the suspect then tied the woman’s three children up and raped her.

The man then exited the woman’s residence with the DVD player and her cell phone as well as the keys to her car, which he stole.

Before he left, the man told the woman that he was going to Franklin, Virginia. After the suspect drove off, the woman untied her children and immediately dialed 911.

Vaughan said an investigation spearheaded by Sergeant Will Liverman and Lieutenant Raymond Eure resulted in the apprehension of Smith.

Smith, 24, has been charged with first degree rape, four counts of first degree kidnapping, first degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a motor vehicle and one count of a crime against nature. He is currently being held at the Hertford County Jail under a $2.3 million bond.

The victim’s car was found approximately one mile from her home.

Along with Liverman and Eure, deputies Tom Hams, Allen Archer, Leon Eason and John Joyner all assisted in the capture of Smith at his home, where deputies had to force their way into the residence.

Vaughan added, &uot;I really want to thank Sgt. Liverman and the other deputies for a fine job in the quick apprehension of this suspect.&uot;

Smith is scheduled to appear in court Friday, June 9.