RABUN COUNTY, Ga. — A North Carolina man is behind bars after deputies say he hid inside a victim’s vehicle in Rabun County, Georgia, and threatened them during a frightening encounter.
According to the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on September 30, 2025. Investigators say Austin Fleming, of Murphy, left his own car, went to the victim’s home, and hid inside their vehicle.
When the victim got in and drove away, Fleming revealed himself. Deputies say he took the victim’s electronic device, claimed he had a weapon, and ordered the victim to drive him back to his car. He also threatened to use force if the victim didn’t comply.
After dropping Fleming off, the victim followed him to another location. While driving, the victim spotted a sheriff’s patrol car and immediately pulled over to get help. Deputies quickly issued a lookout for Fleming and his vehicle.
“Thanks to swift coordination between the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Fleming was quickly located and taken into custody without further incident,” the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
According to jail records, deputies charged Fleming with kidnapping, aggravated assault, felony theft by taking, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, entering an auto with intent to commit theft or felony, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime.
The sheriff’s office says the case is still under investigation, and more charges may be filed.
