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Off-duty officer spots kidnapping suspect walking down street in Gastonia

GASTONIA, N.C. — A Lincolnton man accused of kidnapping and attempted robbery was arrested in Gastonia after he was spotted walking down the street by an off-duty officer.

[RELATED: Woman helps kidnapped teen tortured for 3 days: 'He was so scared']

Deputies said Reginald Aaron Ballard, 42, eluded officers in September after he kidnapped a Lincolnton woman and forced her to drive to a bank and attempt to withdraw $5,000.

Off-duty Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy D. Hendrix said he saw Ballard walking Tuesday morning and contacted Gastonia police.

[RELATED: Woman arrested in connection with kidnapping from Concord gas station]

Officers arrested the suspect on Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia.

He has been charged with felony first-degree kidnapping, felonious restraint, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats.

[RELATED: Huntersville woman used pepper spray to thwart attempted kidnapping]

Ballard was turned over to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office detectives and placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a no bond hold.

He is expected to appear in court on Oct. 17.

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