The suspect proceeded to walk alongside of the victim as he engaged her in conversation. A short time later the suspect displayed a weapon and sexually assaulted the victim.

WILMINGTON (DE) ORIGINAL STORY: New Castle County Police say they have arrested 22-year-old Nijir Lee for the rape of a teenage girl who was walking in the Banning Park just before 7:00 Monday morning.

The teenage victim told detectives that she was walking in the park when she was approached by the suspect near St. Elizabeth’s High School around 7:00 am.

Police say, “The suspect proceeded to walk alongside of the victim as he engaged her in conversation. A short time later the suspect displayed a weapon and sexually assaulted the victim.”

Through investigative measures, Detectives identified Lee as a suspect and he was taken into custody by the division’s Police Family Services Squad without incident on Wednesday., police say.

Nijir Lee was charged with one count of Felony Rape in the first degree, one count of felony Robbery in the first degree, one count of felony Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one felony count of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited.

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $223,000 cash bail.

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“I am very sorry that the victim had to endure such a tragic event. The victim’s bravery during this encounter allowed our investigators to quickly identify and arrest this predator” said New Castle County Police Chief Colonel Vaughn Bond Jr.