ABERDEEN, NC — A North Carolina woman has been arrested after police say a disabled adult was discovered tied up and left alone inside a cold vehicle during a theft at a Best Buy store in Aberdeen.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded Thursday to a reported larceny at Best Buy located at 11088 U.S. 15/501. After receiving a description of the suspect and her vehicle, officers located the car still parked in the shopping center.
When officers approached the vehicle, they found a non-verbal, disabled adult in the back seat. Police said the woman was locked inside the car with the seatbelt tied around her wrists. The vehicle was not running, and the victim was cold and seated on trash bags.
Emergency medical services were called to the scene, and the victim was transported to Moore Regional Hospital for treatment.
Police later located the suspect exiting another store in the shopping center. Officers identified her as Eleanor Denise Walters, 54, of Lumberton. During the encounter, police said stolen merchandise from Best Buy fell from her person, and additional stolen items were found inside the vehicle.
After reviewing surveillance footage, Walters was charged with felony neglect of a disabled adult with intent to injure, misdemeanor larceny, and possession of stolen property.
She was taken into custody and held on a $7,500 secured bond.
Information and photo courtesy of the Aberdeen Police Department via CBS 17.
Key Takeaways
- Disabled adult found tied up and locked inside a cold car
- Incident occurred during a Best Buy theft in Aberdeen
- Victim transported to Moore Regional Hospital
- Suspect charged with felony neglect and theft-related offenses
- Aberdeen Police Department led the investigation
Read more: Full story at CBS 17
