Man Makes Daring Escape From Alleged Assault & Kidnapping

Earlier this month, Tecumseh police received a 911 call from a man running through a field near 700 North Broadway.

The victim said he escaped from the suspect's SUV while the vehicle was parked at the Family Dollar.

An excerpt of that call follows:

Victim: “I am staying in the woods because they are driving around looking for me now. Please help me.”

Police found the man running through the woods.

That man told officers that over the course of a month he was forced to stay inside his home while the suspects stole his money and nearly killed him.

As officers searched the area and brought the man back home to his apartment, they soon located the suspect’s vehicle and later arrested Austin Magness.

The arrest was captured on police body camera footage.

Here is a transcription of what Magness told officers:

Magness: “I am his only friend. I am not going to say what happened.”

Officer: “Why is he telling me that you kidnapped him and beat him up, that you are chasing him?”

Magness: “I am saving him. I cannot say what happened.”

Officers walked the suspect to the patrol car where the victim was sitting in the backseat.

Immediately on the police video, the victim identifies Magness as the kidnapper.

Victim: “That is him!”

Magness claimed he is innocent, and that a large gang is involved in the robbery and assault of the victim.

He was then placed in the back of a cruiser.

At that point, the victim then takes officers through his apartment, that according to police had “clearly been ransacked.”

Bank information was also collected that proved the victim had been robbed.

The victim told police that Magness and another man named "Eddie" stole his money, threatened to slit his throat or shoot him.

Eddie is not yet in custody, according to officers.

Magness is facing charges of kidnapping for extortion, assault and battery, and robbery.

The reported victim gave this statement at the scene:

Officer: “He was one of the ones who had a gun to you?”

Victim: “Yes. Yes. He had a gun to me. (inaudible) I was ready to die. I said kill me. My wife died two years ago, kill me. He went like this, click., click.”

The man claimed the suspects also forced him to swallow meth.

Tecumseh police said it took courage to run away, but it might have saved the victims life.

“He finally made up his mind that they were going to kill him, so he took the chance to run and get away,” said JR Kidney, Tecumseh Police Chief.

Magness claimed to have a panic attack at the scene.

He was later booked into jail.