Iredell Man Attacked In Violent Home Invasion, Kidnapping: ICSO

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — A Statesville man was hospitalized with serious head injuries Thursday after a violent home invasion in the middle of the night by a masked suspect who sprayed him with mace before kidnapping, assaulting and robbing him, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

According to authorities, the suspect — who was later identified as Lucas Bryan Coulbourn, 22 — was known to the victim’s family and had been in the victim’s home on Calico Lane numerous times in the past.

The attack occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 26, ICSO said.

“The victim told deputies he was asleep in his bed when he heard someone in his room,” ICSO said. “He sat up, and when he did there was a masked man standing in the doorway of the bedroom.”

The masked suspect then demanded the victim give him money and guns. “When the victim did not comply the suspect sprayed him with mace and threatened to shoot him. The suspect then demanded the keys to the victim’s safe, and the victim then complied,” ICSO said.

As the suspect bent over the safe, the victim tried to escape but was attacked by the suspect, who hit him in the head and face.

“The suspect then forced the victim [to] leave the home,” ICSO said. “Using the victim’s truck, they went to several ATM’s in the Statesville area attempting to withdraw money.”

The two drove to the Dollar General on Wilkesboro Highway, and the suspect got out of the victim’s truck.

“Before leaving the suspect told the victim he would be back tomorrow for the money and guns,” ICSO said.

The victim then drove himself to a Sheetz convenience store to get help. He was transported to a local hospital, and then later transported to North Carolina Baptist Hospital for treatment for his head injuries.

“During the course of the investigation the victim was able to provide detectives with details about the suspect. Evidence located at the crime scene along with other evidence collected in the vehicle led detectives to identify Lucas Bryan Coulbourn as a possible suspect,” ICSO said.

Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Coulbourn, who was arrested at his home in Hickory, North Carolina.

“Due to the extremely violent nature of this incident, detectives worked this case aggressively, executing search warrants, and traveling to other counties to locate and arrest this suspect,” Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said.

Coulbourn was charged with first degree burglary; first degree kidnapping; felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries; and two counts of felony safe cracking.

“He appeared before Magistrate M. Nethken who issued a No Bond for the charges,” ICSO said.