A woman claims she was tortured and kidnapped for more than a month after escaping captivity by fleeing to a gas station store in Florida.
Employee at Mobil Gas Station in Seffner
told WFLA-TV The woman staggered into the store on Monday and locked herself in the bathroom crying, police said. She fled from a van parked at a nearby Walgreens store.
After the woman crashed into the store, she noticed the man driving the van recklessly leave the scene.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the woman said she had been tortured and held against her will for more than two months.
The woman claimed she was panhandling in the area near Hillsborough Avenue and Havana Avenue in January when a man offered to give her drugs and food. Instead, he began torturing her with a flathead screwdriver and hitting her with a baseball bat.
“Ms. Medina was subjected to months of relentless physical abuse and confinement, which led to her behavior becoming violent.” read Statement from HCSO.
Police said the woman suffered “serious injuries including but not limited to broken ribs, deep stab wounds, and extensive bruising.” She said he threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.
They were able to identify her alleged tormentor as Walter Medina, 48, of Tampa.
Police said they were able to locate Medina on Tuesday and arrested him after a car chase involving the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and two other law enforcement agencies that at one point reached speeds of 160 mph.
he was charged with numerous crimes crimeIncluding armed kidnapping, harm, or acts of terrorism. Armed unlawful imprisonment. Charge of attempted second-degree murder with a weapon.
The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of her injuries.
“I cannot imagine the torture this victim endured for months, but I can imagine the relief she felt when our investigators arrived,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I must commend the victim for her courage in escaping her captors and seeking her help. Our thoughts are with her as she recovers from this traumatic ordeal. there is.”
Medina was previously arrested on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and robbery.
“This suspect’s violent reign of terror is over,” Chronister added.
Details of this incident are as follows:
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