SALISBURY — A Salisbury man has been charged with raping a friend’s girlfriend in 2017, the Salisbury Police Department said.

Jaris Ambrose Stoddard, 32, of 2118 S. Main St., was charged with felony first-degree rape and felony sex offense.

The victim reported the assault to police on Oct. 19, the same day it occurred.

Police spokesman Greg Beam said investigators had been looking for Stoddard since the rape was reported. He had gone out of town.

He was arrested Jan. 4 at the Executive Inn motel, where he’d been staying.

The suspect is a friend of the victim’s boyfriend, authorities said.

Stoddard remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $45,000 secured bond.

Stoddard has previous convictions for misdemeanor assault on a female. He is currently on probation for a 2017 conviction for assault on a female.

— Shavonne Walker