I was driving from Saginaw to Byron Center. The purpose of my trip was to transfer my section 8 voucher to Ottawa County. I currently reside in a Domestic Violence Shelter in Saginaw County and for safety concerns I was relocating.

I was 20 min south from my appointment on I 96 when my car started overheating. I pulled safely off into the shoulder of the highway to allow my engine to cool off. As I was sitting there waiting for it to do this, a tow truck driver parked on the ramp going into the highway came down to ask if I was alright. I said I don’t know, I was frantic and upset. I had my therapy dog in the car with me and was very concerned about my car. I was a little scared having a man approach me but he had a female with him whom he said was his secretary. He had me turn my car over to help check it for me. As it turned over he immediately told me to turn it off. He proclaimed that I blew my engine. He let me know he had a car for sale and inquired about my title. Now at this time my mind is racing. He told me I have to get my car off the road. It is not safe. I said I have no money for you to tow it. He said that I don’t have to worry about it, he just wanted me safely off the road. He won’t charge me. I once again told him I have no money. He said don’t worry I’m not charging you I’m just going to take it up here to the next exit for you. The next thing I know my car is being pulled up onto his bed with my dog in my car still. I’m on the phone with my domestic violence advocate and I’m panicking and very scared. I told her what he said, that he was doing it for free and just taking it to the next exit.

While in the car, I’m sitting smashed up against the passenger door while his secretary is in the middle of us and him driving. He then asks me if I have any warrents out for my arrest. I replied I did not and asked why he asked. He said oh well I work with the police. I said oh ok. He then said how he owned his truck and was private and that is why he could help me out for free. He kept asking me about a title for it and what I was going to do with it. I said I didn’t know I’ll just have him drop it off in a public parking lot until I figure it out. Then I don’t see any exits and ask him where the next exit is. He said oh it’s not for another 15 milesThen we get stuck ina traffic jam. He says that if I leave it in a parking lot the police will have it towed on me and that will cost me a lot. He said he will just take it to his shop for me and I can figure it out then. I once again told him I don’t have mkney. He said not to worry he wants to help me out. I’m panicking and scared texting my advocate what is going on as it occurs. Also trying to figure out where to stay the night until she can get me in the morning. She found me a room at the YWCA shelter in Grand Rapids. As we are sitting in the traffic jam he is clearly getting upset with traffic and it making me extremely nervous. He brought up his gun to his secretary like he was letting me know he had one. I’m so scared and he keeps talking about it and shooting someone between the eyes and people messing with him. A little while later he mentions his gun again when he left it on his seat one time. I have my dog in my car on his flat bed. I’m in a city I am unfamiliar with. I no nobody around the area and my car is supposedly dead. He says he will take me to the shelter and then take my car to his shop until I figure it out. So we get in the city and try finding the place. He is getting increasingly frustrated with my inability to find the shelter. I am still texting my advocacy at the shelter. I tell her to have the lady at the other shelter meet me outside and that I can leave my car there. I don’t want to say anything while I’m alone in the car with him because I’m afraid of what he will do to me.

We finally find t