Traffic stop interrupts ‘violent’ kidnapping that began as a date, Florida cops say

A “violent” kidnapping came to an abrupt end when a Florida cop initiated a traffic stop and found a pistol-whipped man in the car, according to investigators.

The victim was in the process of being driven to different ATMs in Stuart to drain his bank account, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a May 30 news release.

Three “masterminds” were arrested, including a 15-year-old girl who set the trap by pretending to be a woman in search of companionship, investigators say.

“The victim told detectives he met the woman on-line and traveled to Martin County to meet her in person. What he ended up with was a night of violence orchestrated by (the girl), who continued to say she was 18,” the sheriff’s office said.

“(She) spent a little time with the victim before she took his wallet and car keys. Not realizing (she) had already stolen his wallet, the victim began to receive Cash-App withdrawal notices on his cell phone.”

When he started questioning the girl about the withdrawals, two masked 19-year-old men showed up with a gun and took him prisoner, officials said.

“The victim was pistol whipped and taken to various locations to withdraw more money,” the sheriff’s office said.

“While being driven around town, Stuart police conducted a traffic stop on the car learning that a kidnapping was taking place. They were all taken into custody.”

The juvenile and the two men — identified as Damali Gordon of Royal Palm Beach and Tyrese Kerr of West Palm Beach — were charged with kidnapping, robbery with a firearm and grand theft of a motor-vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

Details of the victim’s condition were not released.

Stuart is about a 110-mile drive north of Miami.

This story was originally published May 31, 2024 at 7:27 AM with the headline "Traffic stop interrupts ‘violent’ kidnapping that began as a date, Florida cops say."