A Columbus man is behind bars after allegedly kidnapping a woman shortly before midnight Wednesday, according to Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.

Dekkar Allen Fleming, 33, was charged with kidnapping and aggravated domestic violence, Hawkins said.

Fleming allegedly pushed the victim, with whom he had been romantically involved, into the backseat of his vehicle while at her apartment on Yorkville Road and drove away, Hawkins said.

The victim tried to escape the vehicle while it was moving near the intersection of Yorkville Road and Stadium Road, Hawkins said, and the victim was dragged for a short distance before Fleming forced her back inside.

Witnesses heard the victim call for help and called 911, Hawkins said. Meanwhile, the victim herself was able to surreptitiously contact the authorities and tell them where she was.

Deputies spotted Fleming’s vehicle and arrested him without incident. He is being held at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center on a $75,000 bond.

Fleming has been arrested 10 times previously for felonies, Hawkins said, including felony taking of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, violation of parole, aggravated assault, and robbery.

Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.