When someone nearby said a girl had been harmed in the restroom, Austin rushed outside in pursuit of the suspect, who had reportedly fled the scene.
After a brief chase through the parking lot, Austin caught up with the man behind a nearby Ace Hardware store.
“I told him to get on the ground,” Austin said. “He complied after I made it clear I wasn’t playing around.” Surveillance footage from the area later confirmed the moment the veteran intervened.
While holding the suspect at gunpoint, a helpful bystander brought zip ties to assist Austin in restraining the individual until police arrived.
The suspect was later identified as 25-year-old Gregory Hathorne. He was arrested by Chatham County police and taken into custody without further incident.
