An accused rapist who allegedly led cops on a high-speed chase after a home invasion sought public council during his first appearance on Friday.

Clinton Devon Monroe, Jr., 24, is charged with first-degree rape, three counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, three counts of first-degree kidnapping, a sex offense, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle, according to arrest warrants. He is being held in Scotland County jail under a $2 million bond.

Judge Regina Joe told the clerk's office to refer his case to the Scotland County Public Defender's office for representation. She said Monroe should have legal council before his next court appearance, which is scheduled for Feb. 10.

A defense attorney has not yet been assigned, according to the defender's office.

Monroe initially nodded his head when Joe asked routine questions during his first appearance.

When the district court judge requested him to speak, his spoke in a soft voice, which was barely audible to much of the court room.

During the appearance, Monroe told the judge he was 24 years old, unemployed and living with his mother in Laurinburg.

Monroe is accused of forcing his way into a Laurinburg woman's Plaza Terrace apartment, where he tied up the woman and a man who was also in the apartment, according to a police report.

He then sexually assaulted the woman and struck the man with a .22 revolver, the warrants said.

Also in the apartment was an 11-year old child who was unharmed in the incident, according to police.

Monroe then fled in the woman's black 1997 Chevrolet Blazer to Hoke County where Raeford police spotted the stolen vehicle, according to the report. He was apprehended after a high speed chase and brought back to Scotland County.

Monroe was charged by Raeford police with speeding to elude arrest, possessing a stolen motor vehicle, injury to personal property and possession of a firearm by a felon, The Fayetteville Observer reported.

Raeford police officials could not be reached for comment.

Monroe spent more than a year in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, according to the N.C. Department of Correction. He was released on Feb. 28.

He has prior convictions for assault, breaking and entering and larceny.

Surrounding agencies were notified about the arrest of Monroe and the details of the case, the police captain said. He would not comment on whether or not this case may be linked to a series of unsolved sexual assaults in Cumberland County.

A series of nine sexual assaults were reported in Fayetteville, Hope Mills and at Fort Bragg that shared several similarities, according to several media reports. The first of these incidents was in June and the most recent was three weeks ago.

A Fayetteville Police press release said these nine incidents all shared four details:

• They took place in an apartment complex;

• The assailant was black male standing at least 5'9" and of thin to average build;

• The incident took place between 10 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.; and

• The victims were all women.

Monroe is 6'1" black male and weighs 165 pounds, according to jail officials.

Fayetteville authorities were unsure if these alleged sexual assaults were committed by the same individual.

A spokesman for the Fayetteville Police Department said they did not have reason to believe that Monroe is linked to the crimes in Cumberland County, though they have not yet ruled out that possibility.