Dalton Police Department arrests Wayne J. Norwood in attempted rape case

photo Wayne J. Norwood

The Dalton Police Department has announced its arrest today of Wayne J. Norwood, 41, of 2191 Waring Road, Dalton, in connection with an attempted rape that took place in March.

Norwood has been charged with aggravated sexual battery, criminal attempt to rape, false imprisonment and burglary.

The attempted rape took place March 7 at a Vann Circle apartment where the victim answered a knock on her door and was asked by the suspect if one of his friends was there.

When she replied no and tried to shut the door, the suspect forced her back into the apartment and then forced her into her bedroom where he took her clothes off.

The suspect attempted to rape the victim but was unable and eventually fled.

A neighbor had reported a white Jeep Cherokee that didn't belong there had been parked in front of the apartment during the incident.

Then in June the Dalton Police Department responded to a report that a man driving a white Jeep Cherokee was trying to get women to get into his vehicle at an apartment on James Street. A woman said the man exposed himself and she took down the license and reported to police.

The Jeep was then stopped by officers and a news release said driver Norwood had an open container of beer concealed under his shirt.

The release said the officer noted that Norwood and the Jeep matched the descriptions from the attempted rape in March. Norwood was taken into custody.

A search warrant for Norwood's DNA was obtained and a sample was sent to the GBI Crime Lab that determined it to be a match to DNA recovered from the March attempted rape.

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