A Columbus man faces felony charges after he allegedly stalked a woman, burglarized her property and left a kill kit in her car.
Robert Willock, 41, was arrested Friday for one burglary charge and two felony stalking charges, according to a press release from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded Friday to an area near the 5800 block of Highway 12 East in reference to a stalking incident.
At the scene, the victim told deputies that Willock was hired to do some odd jobs at her residence. She said Willock had professed his love for her. Uninterested, she laughed at him and turned him down, the press release said.
After that, Willock became angry, and his behavior started to escalate. The victim told deputies about several incidents that made her feel unsafe and in fear of what Willock might do.
He was recently found sleeping on her property without permission. At a different time, Willock chased the victim with a knife. He also once got inside the victim’s vehicle, where she later found tape, rope, a large knife and a wire garrote.
The victim also said that Willock had stolen a set of keys from her residence that unlocked a barn on the property. She later found the barn ransacked, her property damaged and several items spray painted.
Hawkins said the victim had initially not reported the stalking, hoping he would eventually go away. The break-ins were what really scared her, he said. Hawkins advised women dealing with a stalking situation to involve the police as soon as possible.
Willock had his initial appearance in court on Monday. He remains in the Lowndes County Detention Center with a total bond of $25,000.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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