Attempted Abduction in St. Augustine

A troubling surveillance video has surfaced showing a woman nearly victimized in St. Augustine, Florida. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Theodore Michael Tandidore, has been taken into custody and is now facing charges after the incident on June 29.

According to the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO), deputies were dispatched to the scene around 3:30 PM, following a 911 call alerting them to a man trying to force a woman into a parked car.

The footage released by the sheriff’s office depicts Tandidore dragging the woman toward a grey pickup truck, gripping her in a headlock. It’s a stark and alarming visualization.

As Tandidore attempted to shove her into the vehicle, the woman could be heard screaming for help. Fortunately, she managed to break free and ran away. The video captures her fleeing, with Tandidore in pursuit at one point.

Police reports also indicate that Tandidore had previously forced a female employee out of a store after robbing it. The victim resisted, drawing the attention of bystanders who intervened and called the authorities, prompting Tandidore to abandon his attempt and escape the scene.

Later, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) officers spotted Tandidore driving recklessly near Marineland. Despite fleeing initially, he was apprehended by the officers. Along with the charges from the sheriff’s office, Tandidore is also facing accusations of DUI and evading law enforcement.