By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A woman is accused of driving up to a Salisbury neighborhood and trying to kidnap three children Thursday evening.
Thelma Kollie, of West D Street, pulled up in a Jeep Liberty in the 600 block of Linn Lane off Wilkesboro Road about 6:30 p.m. and picked up two children who were playing in the front yard, according to a Salisbury Police report.
The report says Kollie carried the children about 100 yards and placed one child in the front driver’s seat, and was attempting to place the second child in the front passenger’s seat when the child’s screaming alerted neighbors.
As residents came out to see what was happening, neighbors told police Kollie grabbed a toddler from an 11-year-old’s arms and struggled to take the child away.
Kollie, 37, then shoved the 11-year-old but the toddler’s mother, Cheryl Smith, interceded, the report said.
The mother of the first two children, Charlene Miller, told officers she has never met Kollie before.
Kollie was taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation.
Deputy Chief Steve Whitley said police do not believe the incident was a domestic dispute.
Warrants have been issued on three counts of kidnapping and assault on a minor less than 12 years old.
Whitley said officers will continue to investigate the incident and Kollie is expected to be charged when released.