CHARLOTTE, NC — A man is behind bars after police say he raped a woman, stole her car, and led them on a chase. The woman says the suspect was inside her apartment when she came home, but he didn’t get far because of what she did next.
The victim’s neighbor, Nidia Ruiz, admits it’s any woman’s worst nightmare. “I don’t want something like that to happen to me or anyone else here,” she said. And thanks to the victim in this case, residents are thinking maybe it wont.
Because she was able to stay focused and describe her attack in such detail moments after surviving it, police say they caught Smith in her car. “Thank God because it’s tough. I give her props for that, honestly. I really hope she’s not badly injured,” added Ruiz.
And while residents send that message to the victim, they’re learning from her quick action. “For all the girls out there, keep your head up all the time. Don’t be afraid to look at someone in the eyes,” said Ruiz.
