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Background: Surveillance footage at the home where a couple were allegedly kidnapped in their own driveway (Hillsborough County Sheriff”s Office). Insets (left to right): Luis Charles and Omardy Maldonado Rodriguez (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office).
Upon returning from an evening spent with friends, a Florida couple faced a terrifying ordeal as they were reportedly abducted at gunpoint in their own driveway. The incident unfolded after two individuals allegedly tracked their vehicle using Apple AirTags.
Currently held at the Hillsborough County Jail, Luis Charles, 26, and Omardy Maldonado Rodriguez, 32, face charges of armed burglary and kidnapping. According to a Facebook post by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which shared surveillance footage of the event, the couple returned to their Odessa home, situated roughly 25 miles north of Tampa, at around 10 p.m. on August 19. As they arrived, Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez allegedly confronted them, coercing the couple out of their SUV at gunpoint and into their garage.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a live Apple AirTag discreetly affixed to the SUV with tape.
Documents reviewed by Law&Crime reveal that the couple engaged in a “physical struggle” with the suspects, who allegedly forced them to open the garage door. One assailant purportedly led the husband inside the home, while his accomplice detained the wife in the garage, as detailed in the statement.
Inside the residence, one suspect allegedly demanded valuables from the husband, saying, “Give me what you have.” Ultimately, Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez allegedly made off with the husband’s keys, including a key fob which triggered the home’s alarm system. The suspects then fled on foot to a nearby parked vehicle and escaped.
Just as Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez allegedly used the AirTags to track their victims, police were able to track down the suspects using the same devices. After obtaining records from Apple, police discovered that the AirTags were registered to Charles. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle the suspects used to flee the scene was registered to Maldonado Rodriguez.
According to court documents, phone records also revealed “multiple phone calls” in the days leading up to Aug. 19, going as far back as Aug. 7.
Police arrested Charles on Oct. 9. While being questioned, he allegedly admitted to purchasing the AirTags found on the victims’ vehicle. Maldonado Rodriguez was arrested the next day. Both men were charged with armed burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery and armed kidnapping. They are in custody at Hillsborough County Jail where they are being held without bond.
On Facebook, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said, “To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family’s worst nightmare.”