Lexington County man charged with kidnapping, stalking

A Lexington County man has been charged with 1st degree assault and battery, kidnapping, and stalking, according to arrest warrants. (Photo: Lexington County Sheriff’s Department)

LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A Lexington County man has been charged with 1st degree assault and battery, kidnapping, and stalking, according to arrest warrants.

Investigators say, 41-year-old Joey Miles Strickland spoke with a woman at a gas station on Jan. 14, and asked her if she was married.

Then he left the station before the woman did and about 10 minutes later he blocked her in her driveway.

The Gaston resident tried to pull the woman into his car but she fought him off by hitting him with an unloaded pistol, according to LCSD.

Then on Jan. 22, he went to the woman’s place of employment and made statements to her coworkers about the woman ‘pistol whipping him’.

“The victim does not know Strickland, because his actions at the place of business would cause a reasonable person fear, that prompted the stalking charge,” says Sheriff Jay Koon.

Strickland was identified by investigators who reviewed security camera footage from the gas station where the initial encounter happened.

He was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.