By Melanie Ruberti

Melanie.ruberti@lagrangenews.com

Public Safety Reports

A Pine Mountain man remains behind bars in the Meriwether County Jail accused of using a knife to force a woman into her own home.

Nicholas Anthony Bray, 30, was taken into custody by investigators with the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office earlier this week.

Bray was charged with aggravated assault, criminal attempt kidnapping, criminal attempt home invasion and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime.

The 30-year-old man allegedly walked up behind a woman as she was about to open the front door of her home in the 100 block of Hubert Russell Road about 9:30 p.m. on March 10. Bray was reportedly wearing a mask and brandishing a knife, said Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith.

The suspect allegedly demanded the homeowner open the door and let him in, investigators stated.

When the woman refused, a struggle ensued and the attacker fell off the front porch, according to officials. The suspect then fled the scene.

The Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office used their K9 unit to try and track down the suspect. While they were unable to locate him, investigators found other items related to the crime, Smith stated.

Various leads led investigators to obtain a search warrant for Bray’s home – which is also located on Hubert Russell Road.

As deputies were headed to the man’s home, Bray allegedly tried to harm himself with a knife, Smith said.

The 30-year-old man was taken to a Columbus hospital, treated for his injuries and released into the custody of MCSO investigators, according to Smith.

“The victim in this matter is to be commended for her bravery as she made a personal decision that fighting back was in the best interest for her safety,” Sheriff Smith said. “She also provided our personnel with intricate details that assisted us in recovering evidence and making this arrest.”

Bray is being held in the jail without bond.

Burglary

 A man reported on Thursday someone broke into his home in the 300 block of Murphy Avenue while he was out of town.

A Sanyo 32-inch TV, Xbox One, various games, DVD player, cell phone, clothes and food items were allegedly stolen from the home, the police report stated.

The value of all the items stolen totaled $1,390.

Twin Cedars gazebo damaged

Vandals reportedly damaged a gazebo on the campus of the Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services Coleman Center at 701 Lincoln Street.

Employees discovered someone pulled out air vents, bent the blades on a ceiling fan and busted the switch to the fan as well, the report stated.

The estimated cost of repairs was about $300.

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases. It is the policy of the Daily News to list the names of people charged with felonies. Reach the LaGrange Daily News at 706-884-7311.