Cleveland County gang member allegedly assaults two women, kidnaps one: Sheriff

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man, described as a “violent gang member,” has been arrested after allegedly forcing a woman into his car and kidnapping her, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.

On Saturday, July 12, deputies responded to reports of a kidnapping at 2070 Biggers Lake Road. Deputies were told the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Thomas Dewayne Lowery III, forced the woman into his vehicle at gunpoint and left with her in a black Chevy Cruze. He also allegedly assaulted another woman at the scene by holding her with a firearm.

Criminal records show there was a previous domestic assault history between the suspect and the woman he kidnapped. Neither of the women has been identified, but both are safe, officials said.

Lowery was found about 25 miles away with the victim at 4804 April Drive in Gaston County. The sheriff’s office said he was arrested, and the woman was safely returned to her residence in Cleveland County.

With help from the Gaston County Police Department, authorities found 150 grams of cocaine and a pistol at Lowery’s residence. He is a convicted felon, and charges are pending out of Gaston County for these items.

Meanwhile, Lowery was arrested in Cleveland County and is being held without bond for:

• 2 counts of assault on a female
• First-degree kidnapping
• Second-degree kidnapping
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
• Assault by pointing a gun

“This arrest led to a violent gang member being taken off the street,” the sheriff’s office said.