On Saturday, May 26 in the Pine Street area of Lewiston, North Carolina, a woman was kidnapped at knifepoint. The incident occurred in Bertie County and the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office received a third-party call reporting that a man with a knife had forced the woman from her home.
Despite being held against her will by the suspect, the woman showed bravery and quick thinking in using TEXT-911 technology to provide essential information for a fast and safe rescue. Deputies arrived at the scene and found that the suspect had locked himself and the victim in a bedroom, holding her at knifepoint. However, they were able to breach the door and arrest Tomya Lee Shields, 46, of Lewiston.
Shields was charged with second degree kidnapping, communicating threats, assault on a female, and false imprisonment. Authorities confirmed that the woman was unharmed during the incident. The successful rescue was made possible by both the woman’s courage and the quick response of law enforcement to the situation. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of utilizing available technology and resources during emergencies.
