Man Survives 5 Days in Storage Unit Without Food or Water

A North Carolina woman has been arrested for allegedly trapping her boyfriend in a storage unit for several days without food or water. However, he is now sharing a different version of what happened.

Trapped in Storage

On Feb. 26, 2025, Robin Deaton, 52, was arrested on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, according to Monroe Police Department Lieutenant Morgan Malone, as reported by PEOPLE. In a 911 call released by Union County Emergency Services and obtained by PEOPLE, her boyfriend said she had locked him inside a storage unit at the Cooper Storage facility in Monroe. Malone told PEOPLE the man had been at the facility since Feb. 20 without any food or water.

'Bogus' and a Mistake

However, the man later said he fell asleep in the unit; his girlfriend didn't realize and locked the door, Malone told PEOPLE in an email. The man, identified as Gary Oxendine, told ABC-affiliated local station WSOC the charges are "bogus" and a mistake.

"It's just a bunch of bogus charges. I mean she shouldn't be up there charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping," Oxendine told WSOC. He said Deaton had gone to get them something to eat, and while he was sleeping in the unit, she didn't see him and he didn't hear her when she called for him. She then left and locked the door, thinking he had already left, according to the station. Oxendine explained, "She thought I had gone with an ex-girlfriend. That's what it all boils down to, and I hadn't. She said she came the next day but I sleep hard and I fell asleep. I had been up working for a couple days," according to WSOC.

911 Call

Oxendine's comments came after he said in a 911 call, "I've been locked in a storage unit for about a week now, and I've just now found my phone. My girlfriend locked me in here. She doubled locked my lock, and I don't know how she put me in here but she put me in here," according to PEOPLE. Oxendine said he was in unit 43 and, when asked if he needed emergency help, he replied, "I just need (to get) out of here. I just can't breathe. I haven't had nothing to drink or anything," he added.

'This Is What You Get'

Malone told PEOPLE that Oxendine said Deaton had supposedly convinced him to crawl to the back of the storage unit to get something for her. Then, she slammed the door shut and told him, "This is what you get." According to CBS-affiliated local station WBTV, the officer said about the case, "This is bizarre. In 15 years, I've not seen anybody who has been locked in a storage unit." Police also said the man had been in complete darkness, which is why he had trouble finding his phone, according to the station.

The situation has left many people shocked, with police calling it a bizarre case. While Oxendine's version of events differs from the original accusations, the investigation is ongoing. The story has certainly raised many questions about what really happened inside that storage unit.

References: Woman Was Charged After Boyfriend Was Found Locked in Storage for Days. Why Does He Say Charges Are 'Bogus'? | 'Bogus Charges': Boyfriend of Woman Accused in Storage Unit Lock-Up Speaks Out | Woman Arrested After Allegedly Locking Her Boyfriend Inside Storage Unit Without Food or Water for Days: Police | 'Highly Unusual': Girlfriend of Man Locked in Monroe Storage Unit for Days Wanted for Attempted Murder