REIDSVILLE, N.C. — The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office charged a man with kidnapping after he allegedly refused to let a woman out of his car during a date.
Deputies said the call came in last Sunday night from a woman claiming the man she was on a date with refused to let her out of his car. Instead, deputies estimate 44-year-old, Garrett Wheeler held the woman in the car for about 12 miles.
Deputies say the woman called 911 from inside the car claiming she has been kidnapped. Therefore, deputies began searching for the car she was in.
"Right place right time. When the call was dispatched, he was in the area of 14. He decided to make his vehicle stationary and just keep an eye out in the area, that vehicle no sooner than the dispatch had come through came by him matching that description," recalled Lt. Kevin Suthard.
According to the sheriff's office, the deputy tried to pull the car over, the car eventually stopped a few miles down the road at a gas station. The sheriff's office said the woman got out of the car, in distress and ran to the gas station clerk while Wheeler was arrested.
Deputies' advice people to keep their guard up, especially at the beginning of a relationship.
"At least for the first few dates as you're getting to know the other person to meet at a public place both of you drive separately that way either one can leave at either time," said Lt. Suthard.
The sheriff's office charged Wheeler with second degree kidnapping, and false imprisonment. Deputies said these charges come on top of Wheeler's extensive record. He's currently at the detention center under no bond.