Following several tense hours, Southern Pines police arrested two men in connection with an alleged assault on a woman Sunday night.

Several units at Brookside Park apartments near the Morganton Road Sports Complex had to be evacuated because police worried that armed men might be holding a woman and children hostage.

The Special Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team both responded to the apartments in 100 block of Coats Street about 11:40 p.m. after receiving a report about a woman screaming. Officers surrounded an apartment and talked to the woman through the doorway. Officers are not releasing her identity.

Police determined -- through what they overheard coming from the apartment, others they talked to and some previous information -- that there was potentially a weapon involved and that her child was in the residence, along with one or two men, Chief John Letteney said.

Officers secured the area and evacuated about five other apartments. Police were able to remove the woman and her child from the home about 1 a.m.

"She was able to get out through the door," Letteney said.

Paramedics took her to First Health Moore Regional Hospital for treatment of injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

A short time later, officers apprehended Michael Keith Johnson, 22, of Sanford, and charged him with resisting arrest. He was jailed with a $5,000 secured bond.

Officers searched the six apartments of the building and allowed residents to return. Police left the scene about 9:30 a.m. Monday.

The second man, whom Letteney called the "primary" suspect, was identified as Bobby Markees McBride, 22, of Sanford. Police said that he may have left the residence before they arrived or sometime during the night.

He was taken into custody at Timberland Apartments off Murray Hill Road at about 12:30 p.m. Monday. Police charged him with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, assault inflicting serious injury with a minor present, first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree sex offense, assault on a child under 12 and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Officers said that the sex charge comes from an allegation made by the victim and wouldn't release any other details.

Additionally, the Sanford Police Department and the N.C. Department of Corrections wanted McBride on warrants for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and a probation violation for robbery. He was jailed with no bond.

He had been staying at the Brookside Park apartment with the victim for the last several days, Letteney said.

Officers from the Aberdeen and Pinehurst police departments and deputies from the Moore County Sheriff's Office assisted.

Anyone with additional information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Southern Pines Police Department Investigation Division.

Contact Matthew Moriarty at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.