ROOT, N.Y. (THECOUNT) — Austin Hunold, identified by authorities as a homeless man, has been arrested following an alleged kidnapping, sexual assault, and police pursuit Saturday morning in Montgomery County, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Public records indicate Hunold was previously arrested in Hopewell Junction on March 2, 2026 on a charge involving operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.
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Authorities said the incident began shortly before 9:40 a.m. when law enforcement received reports of a woman who was possibly being held against her will inside a vehicle.
Deputies responding to the call began searching the area for a Hyundai bearing New Jersey registration plates, according to investigators.
While deputies canvassed the region, emergency dispatchers reportedly received an additional call regarding a vehicle matching the same description obstructing traffic in the Town of Root.
Responding deputies located a Hyundai Sonata stopped in the westbound lane of State Highway 5S.
According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy initiated a traffic stop, at which point Hunold allegedly fled the scene in the vehicle.
During the ensuing pursuit, deputies reportedly observed a female passenger inside the Hyundai appearing to scream and call for help.
Investigators said the pursuit continued westbound before the vehicle entered the New York State Thruway traveling eastbound.
Authorities stated deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and members of the New York State Police separately deployed spike strips during the chase, successfully disabling the fleeing vehicle.
Hunold was subsequently taken into custody and the female victim was safely removed from the vehicle, officials confirmed.
Following further investigation, detectives accused Hunold of kidnapping and sexually assaulting the victim inside the vehicle.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office announced Hunold now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated family offense, criminal obstruction of breathing, reckless endangerment, and unlawful fleeing in a motor vehicle.
Additional charges include operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, reckless driving, second-degree criminal contempt, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and related offenses.
Hunold was arraigned in the Town of Root Court and ordered held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond, according to officials.
The identity of the alleged victim has not been publicly released.
State Highway 5S and the New York State Thruway through Montgomery County serve as major transportation corridors in upstate New York, often involving coordinated multi-agency law enforcement responses during vehicle pursuits and emergency incidents.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Google Maps: State Highway 5S, Root, New York
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