A Saturday night at the Lincolnton Walmart turned into a scare when police say a 25-year-old Maiden man grabbed a young girl inside the store, tried to lead her out, then assaulted another child and an adult while running away. Authorities identified the suspect as Tristan Blain Coleman and say he faces multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. The incident happened around 8 p.m. Saturday, and officers say Coleman was arrested shortly afterward and booked into the Lincoln County Jail.
According to Law & Crime, charging documents state that Coleman "attempted to kidnap person under the age of 16 years" and that prosecutors allege the restraint was intended to make possible other sexual offenses. The court records described in that report outline multiple counts tied to the same episode inside the store.
What Police Say Happened Inside the Lincolnton Walmart
Local reporting says Coleman approached one girl inside the Walmart on North Generals Boulevard, grabbed her, and tried to persuade her to leave the store with him. Per Local 12, officers allege he may have used a cellphone to take a photo "inside the child's clothing" before attacking a second juvenile and an adult as he tried to get away. Local accounts say authorities did not release the names of the victims but noted that both juveniles were under 16.
How Police Located the Suspect
Lincolnton police say they found and arrested Coleman a short time after the reported assaults. Court filings and jail records show he was booked into the Lincoln County Jail and was still being held pending a bond hearing. WCCB reports that Coleman is 25 years old and listed as a resident of Maiden. Charging documents filed in the case list counts of attempted kidnapping, two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, and one count of assault on a female.
What the Charges Could Mean
Kidnapping is defined under North Carolina law and can be charged in different degrees depending on circumstances such as the victim's age and the alleged purpose of the restraint. The statute is laid out in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-39. The state's indecent liberties law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-202.1, makes taking indecent liberties with a child a felony offense. How the case moves forward will depend on the evidence presented and the charging decisions already entered into the local court record.
Court records and local reports indicate Coleman remained in custody with a bond hearing scheduled. Further details were not immediately available, according to Law & Crime. Officials have not publicly released the names of the victims.
