WILSON, N.C. — A 20-year-old Barton College football player and psychology student has been arrested after a woman reported being chased for nearly a mile by a naked man wearing a black ski mask while walking her puppy along a popular North Carolina trail.
Aaron Zane Bostick, of Lincolnton, was arrested Friday, October 23, and charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure following an incident at Lake Wilson, located at 4621 Lake Wilson Road.
According to court documents, Bostick is accused of exposing himself and masturbating in a public area in the presence of another person.
The woman, who shared her account with Fighting Crime News & Who’s Wanted, said she was walking her puppy around 2 p.m. when she encountered a completely naked man wearing a black ski mask along a wooded section of the trail.
She claims the man began chasing her, forcing her to run approximately one mile back to her vehicle. The woman said she feared for her life as she attempted to escape.
“It was a very traumatic experience,” she recalled.
According to the woman’s account, the incident prompted a significant police response, with officers reportedly deploying drones to search the surrounding area. She also claimed surveillance cameras at nearby residences helped investigators identify a possible suspect.
Those details, including the alleged pursuit and the suspect’s ski mask, were not included in the charging document provided. The criminal charge specifically concerns allegations of public indecent exposure.
Bostick, who is listed as a football player and psychology student at Barton College, was taken into custody by the Wilson Police Department and subsequently released on a $1,500 bond.
The woman said she decided to share her experience to warn others about potential dangers while using public walking trails, emphasizing that the incident allegedly occurred in broad daylight.
The arrest has raised concerns about safety in recreational areas, particularly for individuals who exercise or walk alone.
Bostick has not been convicted of a crime, and the allegations against him remain subject to court proceedings. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
