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5:59 a.m. • 2-11-12

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Man sought in kidnapping, ATM robbery


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Composite of kidnapping, ATM robbery suspect
Composite of kidnapping, ATM robbery suspect

A woman who says she was kidnapped from her Boylan Heights home in Raleigh on Monday and robbed sought help from her next door neighbor, Raleigh's mayor.

Amanda Reeder told police she answered a knock on the door at her McCulloch Street home Monday night and was confronted by a man who implied he had a weapon.



She said that he told her to take him to an ATM and that he forced her to withdraw $300.

The man then had the woman drive him to New Bern Avenue, where he got out of her vehicle and walked off, she told police. She wasn't physically harmed during the incident, police said.

Investigators said the assailant also took the woman's necklace and cell phone. She went to a neighbor's house, which happened to be the home of Mayor Charles Meeker, to call police.

"She made some good decisions about what should happen or what happened, and she was very, very lucky," Meeker's wife, Anne McLaurin, said. "And I think our job now is to make sure everyone else is safe."

The kidnapper is described as a heavyset black man in his 20s with a medium complexion and about 5 feet, 8 inches tall. He was wearing a hoodie-style jacket made of cloth with a tan camouflage pattern.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Raleigh Police Department’s Detective Division at 919-996-3555.

"It's very unusual to have that kind of crime in our neighborhood," said Meeker, who has lived in Boylan Heights for 30 years. "Occasionally, there will be a bicycle or something like that stolen. This kind of crime is very serious and something I don't recall happening in recent years."

Residents in the neighborhood say they have always watched out for one another and that this incident has put them on high alert.

"We live in a big city," said Adam Zaytoun. "This could happen anywhere you live, no matter what neighborhood."

RELATED TOPICS: Boylan Heights, Charles Meeker, Raleigh

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Picture? april65 you are kidding right?

Boylan Heights is next door to crack alley

What will it take for people to stop opening their doors for strangers? Most of the time I don't open my door for people I know unless they call first. I understand some people want to trust everyone but this shows what can happen when you do. Glad she wasn't hurt but hope she helps others learn an important lesson. If someone needs help, call the Police and let them do their job. They are here to protect and to serve. If they are hurt, call for an ambulance. I'm not a Dr so whatever they need, someone else will be better equipped to help them. I'll gladly make a phone call for you (after getting the details thru the door) but that's it.

sleep with the dogs, you might get fleas

Boylan Heights is a very sketchy neighborhood - no matter what they charge for a house. There's plenty of flop houses and a constant supply of drifters roaming through the place. Sure they make the porches look quaint, but they have the furniture chained to the walls.

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