The man who was charged with kidnapping a UH student made his first appearance in court on Monday. Austin Joseph has been charged with kidnapping and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.

Police say that he kidnapped a UH student on Wednesday, April 3, after she pulled over on Kalanianaole Highway after hitting a rock.

The person she was on the phone with at the time put out a plea on social media, asking for help after he said he heard a man’s voice say: “This is a robbery” The phone went dead and he was not able to contact her again.

The woman was released the following morning.

The victim told police that the suspect had been armed with a knife and that the suspect had used her credit card.

Joseph was located and arrested. He has no prior convictions. His bail is $1 million and he is expected back in court on Wednesday.