Man wanted after report of attempted robbery, assault on college campus

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Columbus County Sheriff deputies are searching for the man they say assaulted a Southeastern Community College employee while trying to rob her Thursday morning. A manhunt following that forced the school to go on lockdown for a few hours.

The sheriff’s office was dispatched to the community college shortly after 9 a.m. in reference to an attempted robbery and assault.

Deputies say a woman working at the print shop was approached by a black male with short dreads who was wearing a black hoodie. The suspect appeared to be in his mid-twenties. Deputies say the man demanded money but when the woman told the suspect that she did not have any cash, he then allegedly assaulted her. In an attempt to protect herself, she fought back. That’s when he ran away.

The print shop is an area that is an employee only area, previously used as the college bookstore.

Southeastern Community College was placed on lockdown shortly after the incident happened. Columbus County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter around the college and all buildings and outbuildings on the property were searched.

Chadbourn Police Department, Whiteville Police Department, Tabor City Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation.

During the search for the suspect, one person was arrested for the possession of narcotics.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., Southeastern Community College lifted the lockdown. Deputies stayed on scene continuing to search for the suspect.

If you have information concerning this incident, please contact Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at 910-642-6551.