GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Gaston County man is accused of attempting to kidnap a 12-year-old girl outside Gastonia.
Investigators arrested and charged Ricky Townsend, 28, with attempted second-degree kidnapping, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gaston County police said last week they received a report of a man who offered a girl money and then tried to grab her by the arm while she was riding her bike on Goble Street.
On Tuesday, investigators released little information about what led them to Townsend. A release from the Gaston County Police Department said Townsend was pulled over in his dark colored vehicle and arrested without incident.
Investigators said the would-be kidnapper was driving a dark-colored vehicle after the initial report was filed last week.
The father of the 12-year-old victim didn’t want to give his name but spoke with Channel 9 following the suspect’s arrest.
The father said since the incident, he and members of a local volunteer organization, GLC Main, have been out looking for the man.
“I’m relieved,” said the father, who described the past several days as crazy. “Not knowing what’s going on or where he’s at.”
Following Townsend's arrest, Townsend's mother reached out to Channel 9.
In a phone interview, she said her son is innocent and his vehicle doesn't match the picture police showed her when they questioned her at her house Friday.
“I said, ‘That’s not his vehicle.’ They asked, ‘Are you sure?’ I said, ‘Yes, I’m sure,’” said Kimberly White, Townsend’s mother.
Townsend is being held on a $500,000 bond.
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