ORLANDO, Fla. — Authorities are searching for four men they said carjacked, pistol-whipped and kidnapped a federal agent visiting Orlando with his family.
The four men kidnapped the federal agent from Texas and drove him around town before the officer was able to escape, Orange County deputies said.
The incident started in the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn on Universal Boulevard, at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Deputies said the four men jumped the officer in the parking lot, held him at gunpoint, forced him into the car and drove him around town.
Raw: Orange Co. sheriff on out-of-town officer carjacking
“The victim was then driven around for approximately 1-2 hours and was pistol-whipped,” said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.
Deputies said they found the agent and his car in the area of Cypress Avenue near Ivey Lane after the victim’s wife alerted OnStar, but the kidnappers escaped.
The victim, whose name has not been released, had to get stiches but is otherwise OK.
Deputies said they have no one in custody.
“It’s sad for the tourists that come here and don’t know the environment. It’s gotten really crazy,” said Mary Burdette, who works nearby.
The officer was vacationing in the area with his family. Investigators believe the motive was to rob the victim, but the suspects didn’t get away with much.
“It can happen anywhere, but it shouldn’t happen in a place where there are a lot of families vacationing, and where there is this massive amount of revenue coming in,” said a hotel guest, who did not want to be identified.
Deputies said the men involved will face federal charges when they are caught.
“This is shocking what has happened. I tell you that right now and I’m actually about to go to another hotel,” said Thomas Washington of Atlanta.
Demings held a press conference about the attack Thursday afternoon.
He said deputies have seen an uptick in robberies in the tourist areas along International Drive and plan to step up patrols.
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