Β SALISBURY, NC — A Rowan County man accused of sexually assaulting and kidnapping a real estate agent heads to court Thursday. Β Brian Cooper is charged with first degree rape and felonious restraint.Β
The real estate agent says he choked her, pulled out a knife, and raped her inside a home she was scheduled to show him in Salisbury Tuesday. Β The two then drive to a second house in Granite Quarry where the agent convinced Cooper to allow her to call her office. Β She gave a secret code that told coworkers she was in danger.
“As a woman, you’re supposed to be safe. Β Period,” said Salisbury resident Hattie Johnson.Β “Especially if a person was assaulted and they were on their jobs, they’re doing their job… it’s scary.”
Cooper is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center on a $1.5 million bond.
