HICKORY, N.C. -- A Conover woman got into her car early Wednesday to find an armed man waiting inside.

Hickory police said 18-year-old Jessica Muniz had just left work at the Bears’ Lair cafe at Lenoir-Rhyne University at about 12:30 a.m. When she got into her car, a man who had been hiding inside pulled out a gun, put it to her head and demanded she drive to Cherryville, police said.

"At some points he did have the gun to her head -- that's what she advised," said Capt. Gary Lee of the Hickory Police Department.

Muniz was able to use her cell phone to call a brother in Virginia while she drove and told him what was happening. He then called their father in Conover, who called Hickory police and reported the carjacking and kidnapping shortly before 1:30 a.m. Police said the father was able to make contact with Muniz one time after the initial call, but all he could hear was his daughter crying.

A short time later, Muniz reached Cherryville, about 30 miles from Hickory, and the armed man had her pull over. He got out of the car and left with a person waiting for him in a red pickup truck, she told police.

Muniz was not injured or robbed, but said she was very scared.

Authorities have not made any arrests.

The carjacker is described as a slender black man between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall with dreadlocks and a mustache. Muniz said he was wearing dark clothing.

The Hickory Police Department is combing Muniz’s car looking for evidence, checking surveillance video from the college campus and canvassing the area to look for anyone who might have seen anything suspicious.

Officers also released a computer-generated sketch of the carjacker.

Students on the Lenoir-Rhyne campus said they are uneasy after the incident despite increased police patrols.

"You're walking around late at night by yourself because you have class or other things, and you just don't think about invaders, but it’s scary," said student Meridith Thompson.

Other students said they are taking precautions.

“Walk in big groups, don't walk alone. That's what my mom told me. We're sticking together,” said Hannah Maxey.

Muniz is not a student at the university.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.