Tampa police are searching for a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a DoorDash driver while the woman was trying to make a delivery at a Residence Inn hotel.
The terrifying attack occurred around 11 p.m. earlier this week when the woman, a Hispanic woman in her early 20s, tried to drop off food at the hotel located on W. Boy Scout Blvd.
«While walking to the hotel to make the drop-off, the victim was accosted by a black male armed with a gun, who forced her back into her car,» a police officer said. Press release saying.
At the time, the woman had AirPods on and was on the phone with her girlfriend. Realizing that a robbery was taking place, the victim’s family called the police and the officers were dispatched to the hotel.
Authorities said the suspect forced the victim to drive about seven miles away to Belara Lakes Apartments, where the assault occurred.
The victim’s family had been tracking her phone and reached the apartment complex. They were able to rescue her from the car, police said.
The suspect opened fire, hitting a relative of the victim’s girlfriend before fleeing the scene. The victim and the person shot were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the news release.
DoorDash said it was «appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime» and is assisting Tampa police in the investigation.
«No one should have to put up with something as horrible as this and we are here to support Dasher in any way we can,» a company spokesperson said.
Authorities released a composite image of the suspect based on information they received from the victim’s family.
Acting Police Chief Lee Bercaw said investigators are «actively collecting evidence in an effort to quickly identify and apprehend» the suspect.
«I urge anyone who has seen or heard anything nearby to call us with those details, no matter how minute they seem. It could be the information we need to arrest this criminal before he can hurt another family member.» our community,» Bercaw said in a statement.
Tampa Bay Crimestoppers he urged anyone with information to contact them and said the tipster could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.