Details of a Pittsburgh sex offense case are now being released after the arrest of an area man.

The 38-year old was arrested on suspicion of rape and robbery after police surrounded an apartment building in Ross Township. Twice this month, women in the apartment complex had their homes broken into and robbed. One woman claimed she was sexually assaulted as well.

Three law enforcement agencies -- the FBI, Ross police and Pittsburgh police -- worked together to apprehend the alleged perpetrator.

The FBI, which is generally not involved in local cases such as this, had another reason for being involved in the investigation and offering a $5,000 reward for information that might lead to his arrest. However, the FBI has so far refused to state its reason for involvement.

The man has been charged with a number of crimes including sexual assault and physical assault, unlawfully possessing firearms, robbery, breaking and entering, and other related charges.

There is a similar outstanding case in South Carolina and authorities are working with police there to see if the man being held here is responsible for the South Carolina crime.

The South Carolina incident reportedly bears similarities to the case here; a composite sketch a woman there helped generate resembles the Pittsburgh man's identity, police claim.

The man arrested has family ties in that area.

Media outlets report that the man complied with a request for a DNA sample, which law enforcement says links him to the scene of the alleged crimes.

In similar situations, defendants are wise to discuss the charges with a criminal defense attorney before talking with police or prosecutors.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Criminal complaint details Ross rapes after suspect arrested," Moriah Balingit, Jan. 19, 2012