HOUSTON -- A local TV news reporter found himself at the center of a scary story Monday morning.

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Eric James

Eric James, a reporter for Channel 13, told police he was kidnapped by a carjacker while driving to work.

He said he'd stopped near Westheimer and Westcreek Lane when a man with a gun got into his car and ordered him to drive to Beaumont.

The suspect told James he needed to get to Beaumont to see his girlfriend, according to an HPD report.

They reportedly went to Beaumont, then returned to Houston.

James said the suspect took $40 from him then got out of the car at Cavalcade near Irvington.

James wasn't hurt.