A Florida man has been arrested in Tampa for allegedly kidnapping and sexually battering a DoorDash driver who was attempting to make a delivery at a Residence Inn hotel.
According to a press release from the Tampa Police Department, 38-year-old Joseph Killins is now facing charges of armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, armed sexual battery, and aggravated battery with a weapon.
The food delivery driver, described as a Hispanic female in her early 20s, was trying to complete her delivery at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday when she encountered Killins, police said.
“While walking up to the hotel to make the delivery, the victim was approached by a black male armed with a gun, who forced her back into her car,” the police news release said.
The press release noted that the victim had her AirPods in when Killins approached her, as she was talking to her girlfriend on the phone. Realizing what was happening, her family called the police, and officers quickly responded to the scene.
However, the victim was forced to drive the suspect approximately seven miles away to the Belara Lakes Apartments, where police say the assault occurred.
The woman’s phone was tracked by her family, leading them to the apartment complex, where they were able to rescue her from the car, but only after Killins opened fire, striking one of the family members of the victim’s girlfriend, police shared.
The person shot was taken to a hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, police shared.
A DoorDash spokesperson spoke with NBC News about the incident, saying the company was “appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime.”
“No one should ever have to endure something as horrific as this, and we’re here to support the Dasher in any way we can,” the spokesperson said.
Police were not able to arrest Killins on Tuesday night, as he fled the scene before they arrived. But a day later, they shared that he allegedly attacked another Hispanic woman in the Belara Lakes Apartments, throwing her to the ground, punching her, and then stealing her backpack before fleeing.
“It is clear this suspect has no regard for human life,” Interim Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.
Killins was eventually arrested on Friday night and is currently being held at the Orient Road Jail.
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