Police in Opelika, Ala. on Thursday afternoon arrested a man wanted for an April 24 rape in Brookhaven.

Roberto Gaona-Pina, 39, was arrested at a convenience store by officers responding to a suspicious person call that matched his description, Brookhaven police said. Opelika police had been distributing his photo to residents in the area.

Gaona-Pina is being held by the Lee County, Ala., Sheriff’s Office pending his extradition to Georgia.

Gaona-Pina was charged with rape and aggravated assault in connection with an attack of a woman along Buford Highway, according to police. They said she was walking near North Cliff Valley Way when a man grabbed her, pulled her into the woods and assaulted her.

She was hit in the face several times and forcibly raped, police said.

Police identified Gaona-Pina as a suspect and said they believed he might be in Alabama.

About the Author

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)