OOLITIC – An Oolitic man, Anthony Dike, 57, has been charged with sexual battery and battery following an incident reported by a Dollar General manager on April 8, 2025.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer S. Hickman of the Oolitic Marshal’s Office, the alleged female victim approached him frantically on April 24, 2025, stating her readiness to report an incident that had occurred earlier that month. Officer Hickman noted the victim appeared to be in significant emotional distress, revealing a history of sexual abuse and expressing a feeling of having no choices in her sex life since the incident, as well as a distrust of males.
She described two separate alleged encounters with Dike inside the Dollar General store. She stated that on April 8, 2025, around 9:00 a.m., Dike entered the store while she was taking inventory. She alleges that Dike approached her as if for a hug, then embraced her while rubbing her back and groping her buttocks, pinning her against merchandise. She claimed she initially allowed the embrace but felt uncomfortable and defenseless when he began groping her, putting her arms to her sides. She stated his behavior continued until a truck driver returned, at which point Dike released her and continued shopping.
She further alleges that after she assisted him at the checkout counter, Dike reached across and pulled down the front of her shirt, exposing part of her breasts. After looking, he released her shirt and then lingered near the store entrance, allegedly asking her “to leave with him,” if “she found him attractive,” and “why she gave him a fake number last year” in a “lascivious manner.” The female claimed she tried to discourage further conversation. Still, Dike allegedly continued in an “aggressive and vulgar manner,” culminating in using his hands to show the imprint of an erection in his pants before he exited the store.
She explained her delay in reporting the incident, citing concerns about jeopardizing her friendship with Dike’s daughter. She also expressed worry that her initial embrace of Dike might have led him to believe his actions were acceptable. She noted that her past history of sexual abuse made her process the incident’s impact slowly. She reported not sleeping or eating regularly since the incident and required multiple breaks during her statement due to emotional distress.
Officer Hickman identified Anthony Dike as the alleged perpetrator after the woman recognized his mugshot, associated with a recent arrest for stolen property.
On the same day, Officer Hickman reviewed video footage from 13 camera angles provided by the store. While most cameras did not capture the alleged incidents, two camera angles captured portions of them. The footage from “Entry Doors Video” showed Dike entering and exiting the frame near the products, and later appeared agitated, spitting towards the doors. The “Register One Video” showed Dike at the register, appearing to grab the victim’s hand, then later grabbing her shirt, and the victim appearing to jump forward in shock and gesture towards Dike.
Officer Hickman served a trespass notification on Anthony Dike at his residence, prohibiting him from the Dollar General property. Dike reportedly appeared agitated but signed the form. When questioned about the incident, Dike declined to answer questions, stating, “the cameras will tell what happened.”
Based on the victim’s statement and corroborating video evidence, Officer Hickman requested an arrest warrant. Dike was detained on Wednesday, July 23.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
