South Florida woman escapes kidnapper at Publix, police say
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman in South Florida told police she was kidnapped, put in a van and sexually assaulted, but managed to escape her attacker when he stopped at a Publix.

The St. Lucie Police Department said 60-year-old Michael Jablonski and the victim were known to each other, and the woman said he kidnapped her from Davie on August 10.

After taking her, Jablonski put her in a white van and sexually assaulted her before he began driving to an undisclosed location, according to a report from NBC affiliate WTVJ.

While headed north, he stopped at a Publix in Port St. Lucie, which the victim took as her chance to escape. She asked an employee for help and was taken to a secure office space where the employee called 911.

When police arrived, they located the van and found Jablonski walking back toward the vehicle, WTVJ reported. Officers asked him if there was anyone else in the van, and he said there wasn’t, the arrest report said.

Jablonski ignored commands to stop and, at one point, tried to enter the van. A struggle ensued, and an officer had to tase him before they were able to take him into custody.

He was charged with resisting an officer and battery on an officer, and police said the investigation into the allegations of kidnapping and assault is ongoing.

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