Attempted Kidnapper Beat Up After Chasing Woman Into Karate Studio

Charlotte NC - Police say 47 year old August Williams is accused of following a woman into a karate school on Statesville Avenue in Charlotte NC after he attempted to kidnap her just before 9pm yesterday.

“There were still some kids in the dojo being picked up by parents and a couple of adult students cleaning up when a young lady came through our doors and stated that someone was trying to harm her,” Bushiken Karate Charlotte Dojo head instructor Randall Ephraim told CNN.

“Shortly afterward, a big male entered the building,” he said. “Not knowing what he wanted, I assumed he was inquiring about classes.” “I asked how I could assist him and he stated that he was there for the lady. She insisted that she did not know him and tried to kidnap her.”

“I then went into action defending myself and got him out of the dojo. Once outside he attempted to attack again and was dealt with accordingly.” Ephraim said.

Police said the instructor fended Williams off and he ran out of the studio where was later taken into custody. 

“It’s a great thing the people in there were able to help defend her, extremely lucky that it was a karate studio and usually you don’t see a suspect act like this,” Capt. JD Thomas, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, said.
​
Police say Williams has been arrested multiple times for drugs and assault and Williams was on drugs at the time of the dojo incident. Williams was taken to the hospital with injuries before he was taken to jail.