Man arrested after woman sexually assaulted inside her Caldwell County home

LENOIR, N.C. — Authorities in Caldwell County say a man has been arrested after an elderly woman was sexually assaulted inside her home.

Police said 22-year-old Zachary Jones was charged with second-degree forcible rape.

It happened just after 9:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Joyceton area of Lenoir. Investigators in three counties are still looking into whether three separate sex assault cases could be connected.

Deputies said Jones knocked on the woman’s door and told her that an interior light on her car in the driveway was on. When she opened the door and stepped outside, officials said that’s when Jones sexually assaulted her.

Authorities believe Jones has not relation to the victim.

The sheriff said similar sex assaults took place in July in Alexander County and February in Catawba County.

Lenoir Police Chief Brent Phelps told Channel 9 that at this point they can’t say if the three cases are linked but he is asking people to exercise caution around their homes if someone comes to the door.

“Our investigators are working relentlessly on this specific incident,” he said. “They’ll be discussing and touching base with the investigators of those other departments and just confirming details, but right now it’s too early for us to know.”

Police are encouraging residents to make sure they have outside lighting and to remove things around doors that someone could possibly hide behind. They warned elderly residents to not open the doors to someone unless you can clearly see the person and you know that person.

“If you don’t know who the person is -- if you’re not comfortable -- don’t allow them to come into your home. Don’t go outside to meet them,” Phelps said.

This is still an active investigation and additional charges for Jones related to the case are possible, according to Lenoir police.

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