Man arrested after 2 kidnappings within 15 minutes in popular NC tourist town, cops say
Police have arrested a man accused of trying to kidnap and sexually assault two women minutes apart near the French Broad River in Western North Carolina on Wednesday.
Michael Eugene Greenarch Jr., 45, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of kidnapping, first degree forcible sex offense, attempted first degree forcible sex offense, second degree forcible sex offense, two counts of felonious restraint and two counts of failure to pay child support, the Asheville Police Department said in a news release.
Police also linked Greenarch to “a forcible sexual offense” from September 2017.
Greenarch is a registered sex offender in North Carolina. He was convicted in 2000 of taking indecent liberties with a minor and was released from prison less than two years later, records show.
According to police, officers were dispatched to Ralph Street on Wednesday after receiving a report around 11 a.m. of an attempted kidnapping. The victim told police a man tried to force her into his SUV. He then “pulled out a large knife and attempted to assault her,” police said.
The woman was able to escape uninjured.
Roughly 15 minutes later, officers were called to Emma Road on the opposite side of the French Broad River regarding a sexual assault. The victim said she was forced into an SUV and assaulted but was able to escape, according to police.
The women said the manwas driving a gold or gray colored SUV.
Asheville police said they are still investigating similar sexual assault cases and asked anyone with “information related to an incident possibly involving Greenarch” to call 828-252-1110. They can also submit an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD app on their smart phone or texting “TIP2APD” to 847411.
Victims of sexual assault can contact the Buncombe County Family Justice Center at 828-250-6900 for support.
This story was originally published January 21, 2021 at 11:56 AM.
