First degree burglary and first degree rape are the charges facing a 39-year-old Troy man who is being held in the Pike County Jail under two $30,000 bonds.

Terry Lee Thomas, also known as Terry Briggs, was arrested by the Troy Police Department in the early morning hours Thursday in the Segars Street area after police found him sleeping in the home of his alleged victim.

The victim reported to police that her house had been burglarized and that she had been raped.

"The Troy Police Department was called to a residence on Segars Street on November 11 around 3:30 a.m.," said Sgt. Bennie Scarbrough, public information officer for the Troy Police Department. "The call was in reference to an individual who said her home had been broken in to."

Scarbrough said that once patrolmen arrived, the victim, a 59-year-old female, told them she had been raped by someone who had broken into her home.

"She also said the suspect might still be in her home," Scarbrough said. "Upon investigation, police officers found the suspect asleep in the victim’s home. He was apprehended at that time."

The victim said she did know the suspect, Scarbrough said.

"The Troy Police Department is investigating the incident," he said. "There are signs that indicate that there could have been forced entry into the residence."

Evidence is being sent to the Department of Forensic Science for analysis, comparison and identification, Scarbrough said.

"The suspect was arrested and charged at the scene for first degree burglary and first degree rape," Scarbrough said. If convicted of the crimes, each carries a penalty of 10-99 years in prison or a life term.

"These are both Class A felonies," Scarbrough said.

Police Chief Anthony Everage said is happy that the police were able to respond promptly and get the suspect off the streets and into the Pike County Jail.

"We do not take crimes of this nature lightly," Everage said. "This is another good example of good police work from our patrol officers and our investigators. They responded promptly and made an arrest. They did their jobs well and I am pleased to see that the suspect has been caught in this case. This is a serious matter and we are serious about how we treat it."

Nov. 13, 1999, 10 PM