Suspect got more than he bargained for after chasing woman into north Charlotte karate studio

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said a karate instructor stepped in to help a woman after a man tried to force her into his car outside a north Charlotte karate studio Thursday night.

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Police said August Williams, 46, is accused of following a woman into a karate school on Statesville Avenue after he attempted to snatch her just before 9 p.m.

(August Williams)

"He was just punching at everything from walls to cars, everything," said Randall Ephraim, sensei at Bushiken Karate Charlotte Dojo.

Once Williams got inside, police said an instructor fended him off and he ran out of the studio. Williams was later taken into custody.

Ephraim was able to get control of Williams, but he said it wasn’t easy.

"He was very strong – very, very strong, he said. “He weighed at least 200 (pounds) and some change, under the influence -- very strong powerful individual."

(Sensei Ephraim)

“It’s a great thing the people in there were able to help defend her, extremely lucky that it was a karate studio and usually you don’t see a suspect act like this,” Capt. JD Thomas, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, said.

Williams was taken to the hospital with injuries before he was taken to jail.

Police said Williams was on drugs at the time of the assault. He has been arrested multiple times in the past for drugs and assault.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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