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Inset: Tristan Blain Coleman (Lincoln County Jail). Background: Walmart in Lincolnton, North Carolina, where Coleman allegedly tried to kidnap a girl (Google Maps).
The alarming event unfolded around 8 p.m. on a Saturday at the Walmart located on North Generals Boulevard in Lincolnton, approximately 35 miles northwest of Charlotte. Law enforcement officials report that Coleman approached the young girl, attempting to forcefully remove her from the store. In addition, it is alleged that he took an inappropriate photograph involving the child, according to a report from local NBC affiliate WCNC.
Legal documents outline that Coleman is accused of trying to kidnap a minor under the age of 16 by unlawfully restraining the child without parental or guardian consent. The charges further detail that his actions were intended to facilitate a felony related to taking indecent liberties with a minor, and to instill fear and exert control over the victim.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday at the Walmart on North Generals Boulevard in Lincolnton, which is some 35 miles northwest of Charlotte. Cops say Coleman walked up to the girl, grabbed her and tried to get her to leave the store with him, local NBC affiliate WCNC reported. Coleman also may have taken a picture “inside the child”s clothing,” cops allege.
Charging documents say he “attempted to kidnap person under the age of 16 years by unlawfully restraining the victim without the consent of the victim’s parent or legal guardian, and for the purpose of facilitating the commission of felony, indecent liberties with minor, terrorizing [the victim] holding [her] in involuntary servitude.”
Before leaving the store, Coleman allegedly assaulted another girl by attempting to commit a lewd and lascivious act on her. He also assaulted an adult woman by “grabbing her by the shoulder,” cops wrote. Authorities did not release the ages of the girls, other than saying they were younger than 16.
Coleman fled the store but was later arrested and taken to the Lincoln County Jail. He was set for a bond hearing on Monday morning but the results of that hearing were not immediately available. He remained in jail as of Monday morning, records show.
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