STANLEY, NC — Lincoln County deputies arrested Jacob Houser, 21, Thursday after they say he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend twice within the past three months.
Houser was arrested after deputies found him in the attic of a relative’s home on Hines Circle Road around 6pm. According to officials, Houser broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home Wednesday morning and assaulted a man in the home before carrying her out to a waiting vehicle.
Deputies were unable to locate Houser Wednesday after searching the areas surrounding his home on Old Plank Road, but did find the ex-girlfriend safe.
Officials say Houser had kidnapped the victim once before on July 16, 2016. In that incident deputies say Houser broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home, grabbed her by the throat, and dragged her to his truck. Houser then drove to Cowan’s Ford Overlook where he pulled her out of his truck and toward the water.
The victim began screaming and waving her arms which caught the attention of a passing driver who then called the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were unable to locate Houser, who had fled the scene, when they arrived.
In the July 16th incident, Houser is charged with one felony count each of 2nd Degree Kidnapping, First Degree Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, and Assault by Strangulation Inflicting Physical Injury. He was also charged with one misdemeanor count each of Interfering with Emergency Communications and Driving While License Revoked.
In the October 19th incident, Houser is charged with First Degree Kidnapping, Breaking and Entering with Intent to Terrorize or Injure the Occupant, Assault on a Female, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Kill, Felonious Restraint, and Resisting a Public Officer.
Officials say Houser also has outstanding charges from Iredell and Mecklenburg Counties but have not said what those charges are.
