18-year-old with autism kidnapped at NC gas station by unknown woman, taken for terrifying ride

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WTVD) -- An 18-year-old North Carolina man with autism survived the ordeal of his young life after stopping to gas up his car in Charlotte.

Griffin Haire stopped for gas at the Circle K on Tyvola Road, and that's when a woman got into his Mini Cooper and drove away with him inside, Charlotte police said.

It was a terrifying ride that lasted about 40 minutes, police told ABC Affiliate WSOC-TV. Police records obtained by the station show the woman drove across Charlotte from Tyvola Road, along Independence Boulevard, and to W.T. Harris Boulevard.

Griffin Haire's father, Dave Haire, said his son had called moments earlier to tell him he lost his keys.

The dashcam inside his car captured the terrifying experience. Here are some excerpts of the exchange between Griffin Haire and his alleged kidnapper, Amanda Gills:

Griffin Haire: "Who are you?"

Amanda Gills (Suspect): "Who am I?"

Griffin Haire: "Yup, I'm, I'm scared of strangers."

Amanda Gills: "I'm your designated driver! You are under the influence and I have to drive for you!"

Griffin Haire: "Oh no, there's a monster!" "AAAAHHHH, I'm scared!"

Amanda Gills (Suspect): "Just come on, I'll come show you a good time! Imma show you what the old times were like in Charlotte."

Griffin stayed on the phone, giving his family his location as they relayed every turn to 911.

Haire's father told the station he could hear panic in his voice. He also heard the woman yelling in the background and then he said the call suddenly dropped.

Dave Haire said he could tell something was wrong with the woman.

"Obviously, I could tell she was not right. One of the scariest things that you can imagine happening, and it is our worst fears come to life."

Haire said it ended when his son saw police and heard sirens.

Griffin Haire: "There's a cop. Pull over!"

Griffin then took matters into his own hands and made his escape. When the woman stopped at East W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street, he jumped from the car into traffic. Officers then moved in and took the woman into custody.

She has been identified as 44-year-old Amanda Gills, who now faces second-degree kidnapping and other related charges.

"I'm very proud of him. He was brave, he was scared, he was brave, and you know, he's here, safe," Dave Haire told WSOC-TV.

Gills was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, larceny of a motor vehicle, and fleeing to elude arrest while in a motor vehicle.

Police say the carjacking appears to have been random.

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