The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man accused of trying to kidnap a woman after she allegedly mistook him for an Uber driver.
Shortly after 4:05 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, a clerk at the Rebel gas station located at 2294 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway called 911 in reference to a “possible kidnapping,” according to OCSO.
According to the sheriff’s office, a female victim was walking eastbound on E Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, toward the intersection of Cross Prairie Parkway, when a silver SUV stopped in front of her.
The SUV’s driver offered the victim a ride. OCSO stated that the victim described the driver as “a possibly Hispanic male in his early to mid-30s with a handlebar-style mustache, wearing a black T-shirt over a white undershirt and a black baseball cap, and reportedly smoking marijuana.”
The victim told investigators that she believed the SUV’s driver and sole occupant was “an Uber driver.” She then entered the vehicle, and they began heading southbound on Cross Prairie Parkway.
According to the victim, the driver began making “inappropriate sexual comments” while they were traveling on Cross Prairie Parkway. She advised that she “demanded to be let out” of the vehicle, but the driver allegedly refused.
OCSO stated that the victim then began to scream as she attempted to open the passenger door to escape the SUV. Moments later, the driver accelerated, which caused the victim to fall from the vehicle while it was moving.
In a social media post, OCSO said that the victim’s detailed description of the driver/suspect helped law enforcement create a composite sketch of him.
No further details were provided by law enforcement.
If anyone has any information regarding this case or the identity of the driver/suspect, please contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222. Anonymous tips can also be provided by calling 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).