WALLACE — A Burgaw man, who attempted to rob a woman in a Wallace Food Lion parking lot, was arrested and taken into custody last week.

According to reports from the Wallace Police Department, Christian Paul Kenny, 33, of Burgaw, was charged with attempting to steal a pocketbook away from Diane Murray at 8 p.m. at the Wallace Food Lion store.

Although several citizens attempted to apprehend the suspect, he was able to break free and flee on foot.

However, an alert officer (R. Shepard) noticed a suspicious vehicle parked behind another store in the same location the suspect ran from, reports show. The vehicle was unlocked and officers felt the vehicle may be involved.

Within 10 minutes, Kenny appeared and got into the vehicle. Officer J.P. Blanton pursued the vehicle to the Walmart parking lot and conducted a felony stop, since it was not known at the time if the suspect was armed.

Kenny was taken to the Wallace Police Department where he was charged with common law robbery and placed under a $10,000 bond. During the processing, it was discovered that New Hanover County had outstanding warrants against the suspect for breaking and entering and larceny.

He was then transported to the Duplin County jail.

At the time officers approached Kenny, reports indicate he was muddy and drenched in water and met the description of the earlier suspect witnesses had pursued. At the time of report, the victim’s stolen items have not been recovered. During the interrogation and fingerprinting, the suspect advised officers that he had dropped the property in the canal behind the shopping center and apologized for his actions.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.