Officials said a Florida woman “did everything right” in her brave confrontation with a would-be kidnapper.
The woman, who has not yet been identified, was seen in video surveillance footage as a man who robbed the St. Augustine, Florida, store where she worked and then attempted to abduct her. Her quick actions, however, thwarted the abduction attempt by the 31-year-old suspect, Michael Tundidor.
(Video Credit: News4JAX The Local Station)
“Deputies learned the male suspect committed a robbery inside the business, then forcefully removed a female employee from the store, and dragged her outside where he began to push her into his vehicle,” St Johns County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook.
“The victim fought her attacker and attracted the attention of a nearby citizen who came to her aid and called SJSO as the suspect abandoned his kidnapping attempt and fled,” the Sheriff’s Office continued.
The suspect was spotted “driving recklessly” by Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers, who later apprehended him after he initially fled.
“Theodore Michael Tundidor (31) was charged by SJSO detectives with kidnapping, robbery, and grand theft auto. FWC added additional charges for driving under the influence and fleeing and eluding law enforcement,” the post added.
“The victim in this situation did everything right – scream/yell, fight, attract attention,” the Sheriff’s Office noted.
Tundidor had reportedly robbed the smoke shop after he got behind the counter “against the victim’s wishes and began stealing merchandise,” according to News4Jax. “The victim initially attempted to intervene by blocking his attempt to exit the store with a jar of THCa cigarettes and a vape with an estimated cost of approximately $270, according to an arrest report.”
Kelly Eason was nearby as the dramatic incident unfolded and came to the victim’s aid when she heard her screaming, “Get off me. Get off me. Help!”
“He grabbed her again and tried to get her back in the truck, and I believe because she wouldn’t quit fighting, and I was there screaming as well, that he got scared off,” she told News4Jax.. “I was able to get her into my vehicle, and then we locked ourselves in the Subway until the police arrived.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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