‘This Happens All the Time,’ Hey?

SAVANNAH, Ga. (CN) - A bounty hunter dragged a woman from her home and took her to jail, and when he found out he'd arrested the wrong person he refused to take her back home unless she gave him gas money, the woman claims in court.

Becki Terry sued Savannah Bail Bonding and its John Doe employee, in Chatham County State Court.

Terry claims she was at home with her fiancé on Feb. 27 when Doe knocked on the door and asked for her. Doe told her she was under arrest and asked her to come with him, without any explanation, according to the complaint.

"Ms. Terry pleaded with the man: she told him that there were no charges pending against her," the complaint states. "The man, without explanation, grabbed her and handcuffed her. Ms. Terry was still undressed - her fiancé begged the man to allow her to clothe herself before he led her from her home. Once Ms. Terry was dressed, the man took her to his car."

Doe took her to the Chatham County jail, where he identified himself to a corporal as a bail bondsman for Savannah Bail Bonding, according to the complaint. But the corporal found no arrest paperwork for Terry and told Doe to take her back home.

"The bondsman refused to take Ms. Terry home unless she paid him gas money," the complaint states. "Ms. Terry called her fiancé, who was forced to pay the man $20 before he would let her free."

Terry says she called Savannah Bail Bonding to demand an explanation, and it told her they were "sorry" and that this "happens all the time."

She says the company refused to give her the name of the bounty hunter.

She seeks compensatory and punitive damages for negligence, battery, false arrest, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress.

She is represented by Sherri Watts with Savage, Turner, Pinckney & Madison.

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