Caldwell, W.Va. (WVDN) – A Greenbrier County man was arrested Monday, April 21 after allegedly breaking into a home near Caldwell and forcibly removing his girlfriend while her family attempted to intervene, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department.
The suspect, identified as Nathaniel Gunn, also known by the nickname “Yoshi,” was taken into custody without incident after deputies found him hiding behind a fence along Monroe Draft Road, accompanied by the alleged victim.
An officer responded to the call just before dusk following reports of a burglary in progress at a private residence just outside of Caldwell. According to the emergency call from the homeowner and mother of the alleged victim, a man had entered the residence through a window and was actively dragging her daughter out of the home against her will.
The caller informed 911 dispatchers with the Greenbrier County Emergency Operations Center that she could hear her daughter pleading with Gunn to leave the property. The call was made as events were unfolding, prompting an urgent response from multiple deputies.
The report stated that Gunn and another male, later identified as Charles Tharp, fled the property with the victim and were last seen heading south on foot, cutting behind neighboring properties and disappearing near a barn approximately 100 yards from the home.
A coordinated search began, with deputies canvassing the area both on foot and by patrol vehicle. After approximately 10 minutes, deputies located Tharp standing in a driveway on Monroe Draft. Upon further investigation, Gunn and the victim were found concealed behind a nearby fence. Gunn was taken into custody at the scene without resistance.
In statements made to deputies, the victim’s mother detailed the tense moments leading up to the confrontation. She said Gunn and Tharp had arrived at her home and knocked on the front door. Aware of prior tensions involving her daughter and Gunn, she told the men to leave, stating that the victim was not inside. Despite her warnings, she reported that Gunn grew agitated and threatened to enter the home regardless of consent.
Shortly afterward, the mother said she heard a sound from the side of the house and recognized Gunn’s voice. She found that a window in her daughter’s old bedroom had been forced open. Although she yelled for him not to enter and told him she was calling police, Gunn allegedly climbed through the window anyway.
Once inside, Gunn is accused of moving through the house in search of the victim while family members attempted to physically block him. The victim had reportedly hidden in the bathroom of a bedroom, concealed behind the shower curtain. Despite their efforts, Gunn forcefully pushed her aside and attacked the victim’s family member, reportedly breaking his nose. He then located the victim and dragged her out of the home through the front door by her arm.
Authorities say Gunn has stayed at the Monroe Draft residence in the past but currently lives with the victim in Fairlea. Investigators say that status did not grant him legal access to the residence on Monday and that he had been explicitly told to leave by the homeowner prior to entering through the window.
As of Tuesday morning, charges against Gunn had not yet been formally announced, but officials indicated that multiple charges, including burglary, domestic battery and unlawful restraint were possible. Deputies have confirmed that the case remains under active investigation. Gunn is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail.
