Background: Surveillance footage at the home where a couple were allegedly kidnapped in their own driveway (Hillsborough County Sheriff”s Office). Insets (left to right): Luis Charles and Omardy Maldonado Rodriguez (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida couple returned home from a night out with friends and were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in their driveway after two men tracked their vehicle with Apple AirTags.
Luis Charles, 26, and Omardy Maldonado Rodriguez, 32, are now in custody at the Hillsborough County Jail, charged with armed burglary and armed kidnapping. In a Facebook post that included surveillance video of the alleged incident, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that on Aug. 19, a couple returned to their home in Odessa, about 25 miles north of Tampa, around 10 p.m. When they pulled into their driveway, they were met by Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez, who allegedly forced the couple out of their SUV at gunpoint and into their garage.
After police arrived at the scene, they found an “active” Apple AirTag attached to the SUV with tape.
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According to a probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime, the couple engaged in a “physical struggle” with Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez after they encountered the two allegedly armed strangers in the driveway of their home. The suspects allegedly forced the couple to open the garage door. One of the men forced the husband inside the home while the other suspect held the wife in the garage, according to the statement.
While inside the home, one of the men allegedly told the husband, “Give me what you have.” In the end, Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez allegedly stole the husband’s keys, which included a key fob that set off the home’s alarm system. Both suspects fled on foot to a vehicle they parked nearby and drove away.
Just as Charles and Maldonado Rodriguez allegedly used the AirTags to track their victims, police were able to track down the suspects using the same devices. After obtaining records from Apple, police discovered that the AirTags were registered to Charles. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle the suspects used to flee the scene was registered to Maldonado Rodriguez.
According to court documents, phone records also revealed “multiple phone calls” in the days leading up to Aug. 19, going as far back as Aug. 7.
Police arrested Charles on Oct. 9. While being questioned, he allegedly admitted to purchasing the AirTags found on the victims’ vehicle. Maldonado Rodriguez was arrested the next day. Both men were charged with armed burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery and armed kidnapping. They are in custody at Hillsborough County Jail where they are being held without bond.
On Facebook, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said, “To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family’s worst nightmare.”
