ORLANDO, Fla. – A 54-year-old man already on probation for a kidnapping charge was arrested Monday in Orlando after he forced a woman into the trunk of her car at a Walmart in broad daylight, police said.
Orlando police said officers responded to the Walmart near South Goldenrod Road and Market Place Drive around 4:30 p.m. in response to an armed robbery and attempted kidnapping.
According to a news release, the suspect, identified as 54-year-old Juan Perez, was captured on surveillance video pacing in the parking lot before approaching the victim.
According to an affidavit, the victim was putting away groceries when Perez came up from behind and started grabbing her purse that was hung around her neck.
Police said that Perez then wrapped his arms around the victim’s body, and stated “Give me your purse” and threatened her with a knife held to her throat. When the victim attempted to call for help, police said Perez placed two fingers in her mouth to prevent her from yelling.
Perez then told the victim, “If you keep this up, I’ll slice your throat.”
After causing the purse strap to break, Perez then forced the woman into the trunk of her car, but he ran away with her purse when a bystander intervened, according to police.
According to the affidavit, the woman lost her phone, wallet, driver’s license, insurance and medical cards, gift cards, $60 in cash and a $125 check. The victim had a cut on the side of her neck but denied any medical attention.
Detectives identified and arrested Perez on Tuesday. He faces charges of attempted kidnapping, armed robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, battery, and destruction of evidence.
Perez was already on federal probation for a previous kidnapping charge, police said. He’s also a registered sex offender and on active probation.
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