Police: Man accused of stalking, raping ex-girlfriend

MONROE, N.C. — Police say a Greensboro man stalked his ex-girlfriend for weeks before breaking into her home and raping her at gunpoint.

Wingate Police arrested Edward Edenfield Thursday after a nearly five-hour search in the woods near the victims' home.

Police said the 18-year-old victim had sought advice from officers on how to obtain a restraining order in the weeks before the attack, and had confided in coworkers about her fears about Edenfield.

Authorities said Edenfield waited outside the victim's home until her parents left for work then broke in, wearing gloves and brandishing a gun before he raped her.

Police called the teen brave, who went into "survival mode," and seized an opportunity to ask for help when a coworker sent her a text asking why she wasn't at work.

The coworker called 911, and told the dispatcher, "She said, don't text me again. He's in my house."

Police and Union County sheriff's deputies rushed to surround the home, but said Edenfield escaped, running into nearby woods.

That prompted a lockdown of a nearby elementary school, and a search of surrounding homes.

Neighbors told Channel 9 they didn't know what was happening, but were frightened at the sight.

"I was a little bit scared because my nephew goes to school there. Kind of shocked and frightened at the same time," said Kendra Chambers.

Officers finally arrested Edenfield, who they said confessed to the crimes during an interview Thursday evening. Already a convicted felon, his charges include rape, breaking and entering and possession of firearm by a felon.

WSOC