ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday released surveillance video of a robbery suspect trying to force a woman into a pickup truck outside a business in St. Augustine.
According to SJSO, the suspect, identified as Michael Tundidor, 31, has been arrested and is facing multiple charges.
SJSO said around 3:30 p.m. on June 29, they were dispatched to a business on State Road 206 East after a 911 caller reported that a man was attempting to force a woman into a vehicle in the parking lot.
Deputies said they later learned the man had committed a robbery inside the business, 206 Smoke Shop.
Investigators said Tundidor walked behind the counter against the victim’s wishes and began stealing merchandise. The victim initially attempted to intervene by blocking his attempt to exit the store with a jar of THCa cigarettes and a vape with an estimated cost of approximately $270, according to an arrest report.
Surveillance video shows the man forcefully removing the female employee from the store, dragging her outside and pushing her into the pickup truck.
Press below above to watch the full surveillance video
Deputies said the woman was able to fight the attacker and attract the attention of a nearby citizen who came to help her and called SJSO as the man left in his truck, which was stolen from a Jacksonville dealership.
That citizen was Kelly Eason.
“He grabbed her again and tried to get her back in the truck, and I believe because she wouldn’t quit fighting, and I was there screaming as well, that he got scared off. I was able to get her into my vehicle, and then we locked ourselves in the Subway until the police arrived,” she told News4JAX.
According to SJSO, Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers (MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife) located Tundidor driving recklessly near Marineland on A1A. Deputies said he fled from FWC but was later arrested.
Tundidor was charged by SJSO detectives with kidnapping, robbery, and grand theft auto. FWC added additional charges for driving under the influence and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
Deputies said the actions of the victim in this situation were right: scream/yell, fight, attract attention.
News4JAX Crime & Safety Analyst Ton Hackney agreed with that advice.
“If the opportunity presents itself to get away, do it,” he said. “If the opportunity presents itself to fight back, do it. If you think doing any of those things can endanger your life even more, figure out the next play.”
SJSO also released the following safety advice from Women Against Violent Encounters (WAVE) instructors:
- Observe and be aware of your surroundings and people
- Know your “Danger Zone”, the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety
- Trust your instincts and life experiences. If you think something is wrong, it usually is.
- Get away / Create distance
- Prepare for worst case scenario -mental rehearsal – learn from examples (like this incident)
- Attitude, mental commitment, and preparation are keys to success