Hanes Mall Kidnapping Hoax

There was no attempted kidnapping at the Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem over the weekend.

An attempted kidnapping incident was reported at Hanes Mall at around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Winston-Salem Police say the victim, 18 year-old Ashley Dominique Amos, told officers she was punched in the face during the attack. According to police, Amos said she left the J.C. Penny's where she worked and walked to her vehicle parked in the Golden Corral parking lot.

Amos told police a white male who was walking behind her grabbed her clothing and tried to push her into her vehicle. She began to scream and struggle with the suspect.

The alleged suspect fled on foot. Multiple officers searched the area.  Police said Amos was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

But at around 5:00 p.m. Monday, the Winston-Salem Police Department said there was no attempted kidnapping.  The Department released the following information in a media release:

"Detectives with the Winston Salem Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division were assigned to conduct follow up investigation into this incident.  As a result of that investigation it was determined that the incident did not occur as reported.  No attempted kidnapping or assault occurred and no incident occurred on Hanes Mall property. 

The incident was determined to be a domestic assault which occurred at another location.  The suspect in this incident was known to the victim.  Detectives are no longer seeking any information about the original suspect which was reported as that subject does not exist.  The facts and circumstances surrounding the domestic assault are still being investigated by detectives.  No charges have been filed at this time.

The police department is releasing this information in order to relieve the fears and concern of the holiday shoppers who might have believed that the suspect was still at large in the area.   The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available."