LINCOLNTON, NC — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has charged a suspect they say assaulted and robbed a Taylorsville man at the Lincoln County Walking Trail on May 22nd.
The crime reportedly happened around 4am in an area off of Laboratory Road on the South Fork River. Deputies say Ethan Roten, 18, and the 34-year-old victim met in the parking lot after having previously met on a social dating website.
Investigators say the two men walked down to the river and talked for a brief time before Roten struck the victim in the left side of his face and robbed him. Roten reportedly took roughly $300 in cash, a cap and head lamp, and a vap pen with tubes.
The victim eventually called for help at a convenience store on East Main Street, and was taken to Atrium – Lincoln for treatment of a laceration over his eye.
Roten was arrested in Burke County on May 25th and charged with Felony Common Law Robbery.
