A woman in Atlanta, Georgia, was recently attacked in a Walmart parking lot moments after cashing a $4,000 income tax refund check. The alleged assailant was later arrested and is facing charges ranging from robbery to cruelty to children, ABC affiliate WSB reports.The incident occurred around 8 p.m. shortly after the victim had cashed her check. She told police that she noticed the man trailing her. According to the news source, the victim had just put her 4-year-old daughter in her car when 35-year-old John R. Wilson attacked and tried to take her money.
Witnesses on the scene alerted a nearby police officer who chased after Wilson. After a brief pursuit, Wilson was apprehended and arrested. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2009 there were 16.9 incidents of violent crime per 1000 people, 2.3 of those being robbery.
Individuals looking for an effective way to protect themselves may want to consider carrying pepper spray. Experts recommend keeping the device in an easy-to-reach location such as on a keychain so it can be used quickly.
