Salisbury man arrested for alleged sexual assault

On Thursday, during the early evening hours, officers from the Salisbury Police Department arrested and charged a man as the result of an investigation into a reported sexual assault.

According to the report, around 7:30PM, officers responded to the 200 block of Center Street.

Investigators say they found out that a 22-year-old woman was sexually assaulted, and an unknown suspect ran from the scene in an unknown direction before the police arrived.

Further investigation allowed officers to learn that the victim was walking near Center Street when she was approached by an unknown suspect. The suspect was said to have been armed with a knife, and they allegedly forced the victim behind a residence where the sexual assault happened.

Officials say the victim was able to get away from the suspect and call 911. Salisbury Police Officers who were patrolling the area were able to get there quickly and obtain a suspect description. The description was broadcasted to additional responding officers as well as an agency K-9 Unit.

Salisbury Police K-9 “Miso” and his handler began a track for the suspect. The K9 team was close to the crime scene when they found the suspect, who was trying to hide and avoid being caught.

The suspect was later identified as 33-year-old Charles Joseph Griffin, of Salisbury, and he was taken into custody. Officials note that the victim was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she was treated and released.

Griffin was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center where he is waiting for an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

According to the report, Griffin is facing the following charges:

• 1st degree rape
• Wear and carry a deadly weapon
• Assault 1st and 2nd
• Reckless endangerment
• False imprisonment
• Kidnapping

As detectives continue this investigation, Salisbury Police Department is requesting anyone with information concerning this incident to contact the Salisbury Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at410-548-3113 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.