Police: Benson Man Arrested for Taking Children

BENSON, N.C. — A Benson man is facing charges after being accused of taking his ex-girlfriend's car, along with two children.

The incident happened at about 11 a.m. Friday. Derrick Wilson, 31, took Simone Mills' burgundy 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix from their home on West Hill Street, police said. Two children, a 4-year-old and an 18-month-old, were inside the car, police said.

Wilson is charged with first-degree kidnapping of the 4-year-old, larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle. He was in the Johnston County Jail under a $150,000 secured bond Saturday morning.

The 18-month-old child was Wilson's child, but the other child was not his, police said.

At about 3:30 p.m., Mills filed a report with police. Wilson was discovered to be in Rocky Mount at about 5 p.m. The children were not harmed. Wilson said he was upset after an argument at his home and drove to Rocky Mount because he had family there.

Police said Wilson promised to drive the children back to Benson. When he failed to do that, he was arrested in Pine Tops. Police said Wilson was really planning on dropping the children off and then fleeing the state.