LINCOLNTON, N.C. – A Maiden man is facing charges in connection with a home invasion that occurred overnight on January 25, 2023.

On January 25, 2023, a Tallpine Lane, Lincolnton, NC woman was preparing a meal when she heard a noise at the front door. She went to the door and there was a man standing there dressed in a black hoodie, black pants and a black ski mask.

He asked if she had any gasoline and for a drink of water. When she said no the man yanked open the storm door and threatened her saying if she called the cops he would come back and kill her.

He chased the woman into the bathroom, punching her in the mouth and knocking her into the bathtub. The suspect then ran out of the house and fled the scene. The woman identified the man by the sound of his voice as Thomas Wayne Mathis, 38, of Maiden, NC. He is accused of taking the victim’s keys and a gold ring when he fled the residence. The ring was later found on the front porch of the home.

Deputies searched the area around Tallpine Lane and eventually located the suspect off Davis Road where he was taken into custody. Mathis was interviewed at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and released pending further investigation. As the investigation continued, detectives went before a Lincoln County magistrate and secured warrants for felony first degree burglary, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods, misdemeanor assault on a female and misdemeanor communicating threats.

Mathis was taken into custody last night (January 26, 2023) and placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.