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Man arrested in Henrico rape case accused of choke-slamming victim

Posted at 10:39 PM, Aug 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-18 23:19:42-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police say a woman was raped in Henrico County in May, but it was not until Wednesday that they arrested 35-year-old Derek Keith Spencer and charged him with one felony count of rape.

Sources tell CBS 6 police identified Spencer because of DNA results.

A Richmond woman told police the incident happened when she was walking overnight to get a drink at a 24-hour convenience store on Chamberlayne Avenue near the Gilpin Court area.

Multiple sources tell CBS 6 the woman was approached by a man, forced into a car and driven to a secluded parking lot about two miles away.

Derek Keith Spencer (PHOTO: Henrico Police)

Derek Keith Spencer (PHOTO: Henrico Police)

A woman who knows this area well has a warning for other women. "Stop walking by yourself,” said Desiree Pollard on Thursday.

Police sources say the victim told them she was held against her will in a Henrico County parking lot off Laburnum Avenue.

She said her attacker choke-slammed her inside the car multiple times and forced her to perform sex acts. Then she said the man drove her back to the Gilpin Court area.

"It’s horrible, it’s horrible,” said Pollard, who says she feels for the woman and knows what she's suffered, because decades ago, a man walking his dog attacked her.

"His vicious dog was lying right against me. I couldn't get up,” Pollard said. “He raped me in the woods.  Think I'd forget that?  No," she said.

She begs women walking alone, especially in this area to be on high alert.

"Especially at the bus stop. Someone walk up behind me,” said Pollard. “I'm like, will you give me some space? I mean they could cut my throat. I don't know what they're gonna do."

Spencer is being held at the Henrico Jail with no bond. His next court appearance is October 25th.

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