SEABOARD – A Weldon man is behind bars after allegedly raping a 19-year-old acquaintance early Sunday morning.

According to Chief Detective Daryl Harmon of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, Samuel Wayne Alston, 30, of West Third Street in Weldon, was arrested Sunday and charged with first degree rape.

According to Harmon’s report, the suspect spotted the victim outside her residence in Weldon during the early morning hours Sunday and offered to take her to a Halifax County restaurant to get something to eat.

“She agreed because she thought she knew and trusted him,” Det. Harmon said.

Instead of taking her back to her home after they ate, the suspect allegedly asked her to ride with him to pick up something from the home of a friend.

“The defendant then took her down a path in Gumberry to a secluded area and sexually assaulted her,” Det. Harmon said.

According to the report, no weapons were involved and the victim was able to fight back and get away to call for help.

The Weldon City Police Department and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department assisted with the arrest.