The Tampa Police Department is releasing a composite image of the suspect wanted in connection with a kidnapping and sexual battery that occurred late Tuesday night.
Just after 11:00 p.m. on April 18, 2023, the victim, a Hispanic female in her early 20s, attempted to make a DoorDash delivery to the Residence Inn, located at 4312 W. Boy Scout Blvd. While walking up to the hotel to make the delivery, the victim was approached by a black male armed with a gun, who forced her back into her car.
At the time this occurred, the victim had AirPods in her ears and an open line with her girlfriend, who quickly realized that a robbery was occurring. The family of the victim called the police and officers were dispatched to the hotel.
The suspect forced the victim at gunpoint to drive to the Belara Lakes Apartments, located at 8402 N. Waterford Ave, where he then sexually battered her. The victim's family, who had been tracking her phone, arrived at the apartment complex and rescued her from the car. The suspect responded by firing multiple times, with one shot striking a family member of the victim’s girlfriend, a female in her 20s, before fleeing the scene.
Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect is described as a black male, in his late 20s-early 30s, approximately 6'2" tall, with a thin build and facial hair. He was wearing a blue, long-sleeved shirt or hoodie and black pants. He was armed with a handgun.
“It is clear this suspect has no regard for human life,” said Interim Chief Lee Bercaw. “Detectives are actively gathering evidence in an effort to quickly identify and apprehend him. I am urging anyone who may have seen or heard something nearby to please call us with those details, no matter how minimal they may seem to be. It could be the information we need to arrest this criminal before he’s able to hurt another member of our community.”
The victims were able to provide detailed information that led to the composite image of the suspect. Investigators are asking the community to take a good look at the composite image. Anyone with information related to the incident, or who recognizes the subject from the composite image, is asked to contact Tampa Police by calling (813) 231-6130 or share a tip via Tip411, which is accessible through the TampaPD app.
Those who wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward can contact Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay by calling 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), visiting www.CrimeStoppersTB.com, or using the free Crime Stoppers mobile app and selecting "Tampa.”