Florida Man Arrested For Kidnapping Teen, Forcing Her To Drive Him Through Coronavirus Checkpoint

A man was arrested for kidnapping a teenager and threatening her to drive him through a coronavirus highway checkpoint. The incident took place in Homestead, Florida, on Thursday.

The accused, identified as 37-year-old Alexander Michael Sardinas, was arrested after he forced a 17-year-old girl to drive him through a checkpoint in her vehicle. The identity of the girl was not revealed.

According to Adam Linhardt, a spokesperson for Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the accused and another woman, identified as 43-year-old Michelle Lynne Peterson, were headed to the Florida Keys in a rideshare taxi on Thursday. However, they were turned away at the checkpoint due to lack of proper identification.

Following this, the taxi dropped them off on the side of the road and a Florida Highway trooper gave them a courtesy ride back to Florida City.

Sardinas then approached the girl at a grocery store’s parking lot on Campbell Road in Homestead on Thursday afternoon. She was reportedly targeted as her vehicle had a verified hurricane re-entry sticker on it and a Monroe County license plate, which permitted her to pass through the checkpoints.

He allegedly threatened to harm the victim if she tried to use her phone, however, there was no evidence that showed the man was armed at the time. The 17-year-old drove the man and the woman through the checkpoint. Once they were both out of the car, she contacted a family member after which, the incident was reported to the police.

The victim later told detectives that she did not inform the deputies at the checkpoint that she was being held against her will as she was scared.

Police said Sardinas had a history of criminal records including charges of cocaine possession, grand theft, and burglary.

“I am relieved this suspect is currently sitting in jail and the young victim in this case was not seriously hurt. I want to thank and commend my staff as well as our partners at the Florida Highway Patrol for quickly putting two and two together that resulted in a quick arrest,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

According to court records, the man was arrested and charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment. He was being held at Monroe County Jail and his bail was set to $50,000. Police found Peterson at her home in Islamorada but she was not immediately arrested.

The case was still under investigation.