HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Highway Patrol troopers are looking for a man accused of beating an Orlando woman and leaving her at a gas station near Tampa.
A witness around 2 p.m. Tuesday called FHP to report a male and female were having an altercation while traveling in a Kia sedan on Interstate 4 westbound from Polk County to Hillsborough County, according to a news release. This witness told troopers that the female involved was yelling for help and attempting to exit the Kia, the release states.
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The Kia was spotted by troopers on I-4 near mile marker 20 and would go on to drive away from an attempted traffic stop, according to FHP. Troopers said the Kia’s driver exited I-4 and reversed course several times, briefly traveling west in the eastbound lanes before eventually leaving the interstate onto US-92, where FHP lost sight of the car.
Troopers said they located the victim at a gas station where US-92 meets Orient Road, describing her as a 27-year-old Orlando woman suffering minor, non-life-threatening injuries as a result of being battered by the suspect.
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The victim told troopers that she and the suspect had set out from Orlando when a financial dispute led to the reported altercation. The vehicle, which troopers said was hers, was later located at the nearby Hard Rock Casino where troopers said the suspect had abandoned the car, was picked up by another driver and taken to an unknown location.
Troopers have so far only identified the suspect by his nickname, “Cash,” and have shared a surveillance photo of him.
Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts was urged to call *FHP (*347), or Crime Stoppers at 800-423-8477 or **TIPS (**8477) to remain anonymous.
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