SMITHFIELD – Law enforcement officers in Horry County, South Carolina are investigating a possible kidnapping incident. The suspect vehicle was later stopped on Interstate 95 in Johnston County.
The incident happened around 7:00pm last Thursday, March 26th in the parking lot of a Wendy’s restaurant near Myrtle Beach. The victim told Horry County Police she was taken against her will after an altercation with the suspect. Around 1:30am Friday, the victim was able to call 911 while in Fayetteville, NC. Fayetteville Police located the victim who was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries to her face and hand.
The suspect left Fayetteville traveling north on Interstate 95. Around 2:30am, Johnston County deputies located the vehicle on I-95 near Smithfield. Deputies and Smithfield Police stopped the vehicle.
An occupant in the SUV, 39 year-old Garrett Wade Wheeler of Reidsville, NC was arrested after suspected methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia was reportedly found in his possession.
Horry County Police would not say if Wheeler was a suspect in the alleged kidnapping. A spokesperson said investigators believe the suspect and victim knew one another and the incident was not random. No charges have been filed but South Carolina detectives are still investigating the incident.
The GMC Acadia was seized by Johnston County deputies. Wheeler was transported to the Johnston County Jail and held under a $10,000 secured bond on the drug charges.
