DoorDash Driver Allegedly Kidnapped, Sexually Assaulted During Delivery

A DoorDash driver was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted, while she was attempting to make a delivery in Florida.

The incident took place around 11 p.m. Tuesday when the female driver, identified as a Hispanic in her early 20s, exited her vehicle to make a delivery at the Residence Inn hotel located at W. Boy Scout Blvd, the New York Post reported.

While walking to the hotel, the victim was approached by a Black male armed with a gun, who forced her back into her car, Tampa police said in a statement Saturday.

At the time of the incident, the victim was wearing AirPods and was on a call with her girlfriend, who quickly realized she was being robbed.

"The family of the victim called the police and officers were dispatched to the hotel," the police added.

The suspect, at gunpoint, forced the victim to drive to the Belara Lakes Apartments, located at North Waterford Ave, where he sexually assaulted her.

The victim's family, who were tracking her phone, reached the complex and rescued her from the suspect. The suspect then reportedly fired multiple shots, one of which hit a family member of the victim's girlfriend, before fleeing the scene.

The victim and the family member, also a female in her 20s, were taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The police also released information about an additional robbery carried out by the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Joseph Killins, on Wednesday, the morning after the attack on the female driver. The incident took place at the same apartment complex, where the suspect threw a woman in her early 40s to the ground, punched her in the face and stole her backpack.

Detectives on both cases collaborated and tracked Killins to a hotel in Tampa on Friday night and arrested him, according to NBC. Detectives also recovered several items belonging to the first victim during the investigation.

It was found that Killins has a prior felony record, including convictions for burglary and aggravated battery.

He was charged with armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, armed sexual battery and aggravated battery with a weapon. He was held at the Orient Road Jail.

"It is clear this suspect has no regard for human life," said Interim police chief Lee Bercaw, as per the statement.

"This criminal is now off the streets thanks to the tireless efforts of every Tampa Police Department employee and the assistance provided by members of our community."

DoorDash issued a statement, expressing shock at the "heinous and abhorrent crime." The company said they were working with Tampa police to bring the perpetrator to justice.

"We are appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime. No one should ever have to endure something as horrific as this and we're here to support the Dasher in any way we can. We've reached out to the Tampa Police Department to assist their investigation and we hope the perpetrator is brought to justice," DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said.