A 54-year-old man was arrested by Orlando police after he allegedly stole a woman’s purse at knifepoint and attempted to kidnap her outside of a local Walmart.
On Monday, September 2, at around 4:30 p.m., Orlando Police Department officers responded to the Walmart located at 5991 S Goldenrod Road in reference to an armed robbery and attempted kidnapping.
According to OPD, the store’s video surveillance footage showed the male suspect, later identified as Juan Perez, approaching the victim in the parking lot while she was standing near the trunk of her car.
Perez allegedly held a knife to the victim’s throat and demanded that she hand over her purse. OPD stated that Perez then forced the victim into the trunk of her car with the intent of kidnapping her, but a bystander intervened.
Perez then fled from the parking lot.
An investigation was launched, and Perez was identified as the suspect in this case. At around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, OPD detectives located and arrested Perez, and he was transported to Orange County Jail.
Perez is being charged with attempted kidnapping, armed robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, battery, and destruction of evidence.
In addition, Perez was on federal probation for a previous kidnapping charge at the time of his arrest.
Perez is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4.