BERTIE COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Deputies say a woman is safe after being taken against her will by a man in Bertie County.

According to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, Bertie County 911 received a third party call in reference to a woman that had been forced from her home by a man with a knife in the Pine Street area of Lewiston.

They say while deputies were responding the agency began to receive text messages from the woman, confirming that the accused was in fact holding her against her will.

Deputies say through the bravery of the victim in her quick thinking to use the recent 𝙏𝙀𝙓𝙏-911 technology, she was able to provide vital information needed for a quick and safe rescue.

Deputies say when they arrived on the scene, the suspect had himself and the victim locked in a bedroom with the victim held at knifepoint.

Deputies breached the door and arrested 46-year-old Tomya Shields.

Shields is charged with second degree kidnapping, communicating threats, assault on a female and false Imprisonment. Authorities say the woman was unharmed.