By Minyvonne Burke and Alex Lo -
NBC News
Tampa police have arrested a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a DoorDash driver while the woman was attempting to make a delivery at a Residence Inn hotel.
Joseph Killins, 38, faces charges of armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, armed sexual assault and aggravated assault with a weapon, police announced Saturday.
He is being held at Orient Road Jail.
The terrifying attack occurred around 11:00 p.m. Tuesday when the woman, a Hispanic woman in her 20s, tried to drop off a food order at the hotel on W. Boy Scout Blvd.
A sketch of suspect accused of kidnapping and sexually battering a DoorDash driver in Tampa, Fla., on April 18, 2023. Tampa Police Department
"While walking to the hotel to make the drop-off, the victim was accosted by a black male who was armed with a gun and forced her back into her car," a police news release reads.
At the time, the woman was wearing her AirPods headphones because she was on the phone with her girlfriend.
Realizing that a robbery was taking place, the victim's family called the police and agents were dispatched to the hotel.
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Authorities said the suspect forced the victim to drive about 7 miles to the Belara Lakes Apartments, where the assault occurred.
The victim's family had been tracking her phone and reached the apartment complex.
According to the police, they were able to rescue her from her car.
The suspect opened fire, wounding a relative of the victim's girlfriend before fleeing the scene.
The victim and the person he shot were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the news release.
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DoorDash said they are "appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime" and are assisting Tampa police in the investigation.
"No one should have to put up with something as horrible as this and we are here to support her in any way we can," a company spokesperson said.
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A day after the alleged kidnapping, police said Killins allegedly attacked another woman at the Belara Lakes Apartments.
According to authorities, he knocked a Hispanic woman in her 40s to the ground, punched her and then stole her backpack.
Killins was charged with robbery.
Authorities released an image of the suspect based on information they received from the kidnapped victim's family and issued a public call for anyone with information to contact police.
Tampa Bay Crimestoppers urged anyone with information to contact them, saying the informant could receive a cash reward of up to $5,000.
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The police department said the items related to the kidnapping were found by detectives investigating the theft.
The investigation led officers to the Tampa Inn, where the suspect was taken into custody Friday night.
Killins allegedly disclosed details to detectives "that were specific to the crimes that occurred on April 18," the police department said.
Lee Bercaw, acting police chief, said he hopes the arrest will bring some closure to the victims' situation.