AULANDER – An Aulander man is behind bars under a quarter-million dollar bond for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 16-year-old female.

Larry D. Campbell, 22, was arrested July 5 on charges of second-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape and sexual battery. He was placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail under a $250,000 cash bond and made his first court appearance on July 6.

According to Aulander Police Chief Jimmy Barmer, Campbell immediately became the prime suspect after Barmer picked-up the investigation of the case. Barmer said the alleged rape occurred on the morning of June 29. It was reported to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office on July 1.

“Bertie deputies took the initial report and handed it over to me on July 2,” Barmer said. “Based upon my investigation and statements made by the victim, Larry Campbell became our suspect.”

Barmer said that although Campbell listed an address on Governor’s Road near Roxobel, he was known to reside at several residences in Aulander.

“With the assistance of (Bertie Sheriff’s) Detective Sgt. Frank Timberlake, we were able to learn where Mr. Campbell was residing and went and made the arrest,” Barmer said.

Barmer stated the kidnapping charge was based upon a statement from the victim that she was forcibly grabbed and drug inside a residence at which time she claimed she was sexually assaulted by the suspect.

“Kidnapping is defined by forcing an individual to leave point A and move to point B,” Barmer explained. “If that movement is done by force, against the will of the victim, then it’s kidnapping, no matter how far the victim is force to travel.”

Barmer thanked Detective Sgt. Timberlake and the other Bertie County deputies that provided assistance with this case.