Robeson County Sheriff's Office makes arrest in kidnapping case originating at South of the Border

The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C.
·3 min read

Mar. 18—MAXTON — A 52-year-old Maxton man was charged Thursday in the March 11 kidnapping of a woman from South of the Border in Dillon, South Carolina, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.

David Earl Page was charged with first-degree kidnapping, felonious restraint, first-degree rape, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to the Sheriff's Office. Page was placed in the custody of the Robeson County Detention Center under a $3.3 million secured bond.

Page also is facing warrants issued by the Dillon County Sheriff's Office for the crimes of carjacking, kidnapping and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Robeson County Sheriff's Office investigators and deputies executed search warrants about 7:15 a.m. at 501B Henderson St. and 9838 U.S. 501 South in Maxton, according to the Sheriff's Office. The search warrants were in relation to the March 11 kidnapping and aggravated assault case that began in Dillon, South Carolina, and ended in Robeson County.

"This investigation shows the caring nature of law enforcement agencies from across state lines and should be a clear indicator to the criminal element that you can run but you can't hide. I want to thank Dillon County Sheriff Douglas Pernell and his staff as we came together as one to bring justice to the victim and her family that experienced this despicable crime," Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said.

"Had this suspect been in prison rather than being released back on the streets on parole, this particular incident wouldn't have occurred. Now the victim has to live with this torment the rest of her life," Wilkins added.

Page was charged with second-degree kidnapping in 2001. He was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon in relation to a Nov. 6, 2012 case. Among other charges on his record include two misdemeanor assaults on females in February 1999, and incidents of robbery with a dangerous weapon and an assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury in 2001.

The Dillon County Sheriff's Office and Fayetteville office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive assisted with the investigation, which is ongoing.

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office responded about 4:17 p.m. March 11 to a report of kidnapping and assault at U.S. 301 South and Braswell Road in Rowland, according to the Sheriff's Office. The investigation determined the victim was first abducted in Dillon, South Carolina, and taken to Rowland.

The victim suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening and was treated at an undisclosed medical center, according to the Sheriff's Office. The suspect abandoned the victim and her vehicle, and she later contacted police.

Anyone with information about the case should call the Robeson County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 910-671-3170 or 910-671-3100.