Plant City Police have arrested four people they said lured victims to a Plant City home where they were robbed, beaten and kidnapped. Police are asking for the public’s help locating a fifth suspect, who is still on the run.
PCPD’s Investigative Services Division said Hispanic men were lured via social media to the residence within the 900 block of West Risk Street, where they believed they would be socializing with “an attractive female.” The incidents occurred over several dates between April 2019 and June 2019. When the victims arrived, they were met in the driveway by a female who escorted them into the residence.
However, once they were inside they were robbed, “viciously tortured” and beaten by the defendants. They were then held against their will and told their families would be harmed if they did not cooperate. The suspects then put the victims back in their vehicles and drove them throughout Plant City, where they were forced to remove money from their bank accounts at ATM machines.
Once the suspects acquired all of the victims’ money, they released the men. The suspects kept the vehicles for their own use.
In a news release, PCPD said they arrested Thomas Nolasco, Melissa Long, Joshua Rodriguez and Carina Bailon. Nolasco was charged with one count of Kidnapping, one count of Robbery, two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and one count of Battery. Rodriguez was charged with one count of Kidnapping, one count of Robbery, two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and one count of Battery. Bailon was arrested and charged as a principal to commit Kidnapping, Robbery and Battery. Long was arrested and charged as a principal to commit Kidnapping, Robbery and Battery.
Police say they have identified another suspect, James T. Smith, 19, but he has not yet been located. There is an active warrant outstanding for his arrest in relation to the incidents.
Police are asking any individuals who have been victimized in a similar fashion by the above mentioned suspects to contact Detective Mark Dunnam at 813-757-9200.