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Man accused of fondling 12-year-old boy on west Charlotte trail

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said they’ve arrested a man accused of kidnapping and inappropriately touching a 12-year-old boy who was walking on a trail in west Charlotte.

Animir Roberts, 22, is charged with first-degree kidnapping and indecent liberties with a child.

Police said around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a 12-year-old boy flagged down a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in a patrol car and said he had been inappropriately touched by a man.

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Investigators said Roberts approached the boy while he was walking on a trail on Tuckaseegee Road and tried to force the child into a wooded area. They said Roberts inappropriately touched the victim.

Investigators said the victim was able to break free and flag down the officer.

Police said they were quickly able to locate Roberts and arrest him.

“That is crazy stuff,” nearby resident Khadiyah Myatt said. “It's crazy nowadays.”

Neighbors said they see children in the area often.

“All the time,” resident Jay Moore said. “They walk up and down this street, going to the Food Lion and back home.”

There is also a recreation center nearby.

Roberts, whose address is in Ballantyne, is scheduled to be in court for the first time Tuesday afternoon.

Myatt has a warning for residents.

“It's a dangerous little path,” she said. “I feel like they need to cut down the bushes, because this is a pedophile's playground.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.

Check back for updates on this developing story.