Police have arrested a Florida man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a DoorDash delivery woman and then shot a member of her family who came to the woman’s rescue.
Tampa police said 38-year-old suspect Joseph Killins was charged with kidnapping, sexual battery and aggravated battery with a weapon for the incident that took place on April 18. He was also charged with robbery in a separate incident that occurred the next morning.
Police said Mr. Killins forced the DoorDash driver back into her car at gunpoint Tuesday night and had the victim — a Hispanic woman in her early 20s — drive both of them to an apartment complex where he sexually assaulted her.
The victim was on the phone with her girlfriend at the time and the victim’s girlfriend could tell that a robbery was taking place. That’s when the victim’s family called police and gave them the delivery location.
Family members of the victim eventually came to her aid after tracking her phone. Police said that Mr. Killins responded by opening fire and wounding a family member of the victim’s girlfriend before fleeing the area.
Both the delivery driver and the gunshot victim were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a hospital, according to authorities.
The next morning, police said Mr. Killins robbed a Hispanic woman in her 40s after he threw the victim to the ground, punched her and stole her backpack.
Law enforcement tracked the suspect to the Tampa Inn on E. Busch Boulevard later that evening, where he was arrested and charged with both the kidnapping and sexual assault as well as the robbery.
“This criminal is now off the streets thanks to the tireless efforts of every Tampa Police Department employee and the assistance provided by members of our community,” Interim Chief Lee Bercaw said in a press release. “My thoughts remain with the victims. I hope this arrest brings them a sense of comfort knowing that he will now face justice for the crimes he chose to commit.”
“We are appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime,” DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said in a statement to CNN. “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. We’re grateful to Tampa Police for their work to hold the perpetrator accountable and we strongly hope justice is served.”
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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