Robin Deaton. Photo: MCSO
A North Carolina woman has been arrested after allegedly locking her boyfriend inside a storage unit for nearly a week—without food, water, or a way to escape.
A Shocking Discovery
Authorities in Monroe, North Carolina, responded to a 911 call on Monday, February 24, from a man who claimed he had been trapped in a storage unit for days. The victim, whose name has not been released, told dispatchers he had just found his phone and was desperate for help.
“My girlfriend locked me in here,” he reportedly said in the call, adding that she “doubled up the lock” on the unit. He had no idea how she managed to trap him, but he knew he couldn’t get out.
Police arrived at the Cooper Storage facility on Old Charlotte Highway and discovered the man inside Unit 43, surrounded by piles of hoarded items. As officers forced open the door, they were met with a cascade of falling objects, revealing just how cluttered the space was. Inside, the victim had been sitting in complete darkness, disoriented and dehydrated.
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The Alleged Setup
Investigators say the suspect, 52-year-old Robin Deaton, lured her boyfriend into the storage unit by asking him to grab something from the back. Once he crawled inside, she allegedly slammed the door shut and locked him in, telling him, “This is what you get.”
The man had no food, no water, and no access to light. Police noted that if the weather had been extreme—either sweltering summer heat or freezing winter temperatures—the outcome could have been deadly.
Charges and Arrest
On Wednesday, February 26, Monroe police confirmed that Deaton was arrested in Charlotte and is now facing charges of attempted murder and kidnapping. Lieutenant Morgan Malone, a public information officer for the Monroe Police Department, called the case “bizarre” and said it was the first time in his 15-year career he had seen someone locked inside a storage unit like this.
“The victim is incredibly lucky to be alive,” Malone added, emphasizing that this case serves as a reminder that men, too, can be victims of domestic abuse.
As the investigation continues, Deaton remains in custody, and officials are working to determine what led to this disturbing ordeal. The victim is now safe, but authorities say the psychological impact of such an experience could last a lifetime.
Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge in this shocking case.
