Man charged for attack at Wal-Mart

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 9, 2008

SOUTH POINT — An 18-year-old South Point man now faces felony charges of attempted rape, kidnapping and felonious assault after an incident in the South Point Wal-Mart.

At 7:25 p.m. Sunday, a 29-year-old woman was the object of threatening actions by a knife-wielding man in the ladies restroom of the department store, according to a press release from Sheriff Tim Sexton. Shortly after the incident the man released the victim, unharmed, and fled the store.

The next day someone fitting the description of the alleged assailant entered the store about 9 p.m. and went into the ladies restroom. He was recognized by Wal-Mart personnel.

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“Wal-Mart staff cleared the ladies’ restroom and locked the suspect inside and called the sheriff’s office,” according to the release.

Arrested was Darren Sharpe, 30 Township Road 1025, South Point.

Sharpe was also charged with resisting arrest and remains in the Lawrence County Jail until a bond hearing is conducted.

There is no known relationship between the victim and the alleged assailant, according to Chief Deputy Jeff Lawless.

A call made to a manager of the Wal-Mart in South Point was referred to the media relations department at the corporate headquarters in Arkansas.

“At Wal-Mart, the safety and security of our customers and associates is a top priority. We thank the police department for their quick response. As not to impede their investigation, I’ll need to defer to them for additional comment or information,” Ashley Hardie, Wal-Mart spokeswoman, said via e-mail.