Melbourne man meeting online date gets robbed

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Melbourne man who answered an online dating ad literally got taken for a ride -- at gun point.

Instead of dinner and drinks, the man told police he was forced to withdraw money from local ATMs.

The victim, who did not want to be identified, told Channel 9's Melonie Holt he made a run for it.

"They picked me up from my home and drove me down to their home where everything happened," the victim said.

He said he was grateful for the opportunity to tell his story because the situation that unfolded at the house could have ended differently.

"When I entered the residence all chaos broke out," he said.

When someone behind him pointed a firearm at his head, he realized what was going on.

The gunman demanded cash, but wanted more than the victim had.

The gunman had the victim drive to various ATMs until the car stopped at Florida Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, where the victim said he saw an opportunity.

"I just went ahead and jumped out of the vehicle 'cause there was a park right there," said the victim.

He said he was able to flag down an officer and lead them back to where the ordeal started.

A neighbor who did not want to be identified said no one should've been at the house where the man was taken.

"The gentlemen that left turned everything in to the bank," the neighbor said.

West Melbourne police arrested 29-year-old William Pease and 28-year-old Nicole Hendershot on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.

"I'm extremely grateful. I'm extremely thankful to the way it played out," the man said.

Police said they are getting a search warrant for the house and are still looking for the other woman involved in the robbery.

The man told Holt he would never answer an online dating ad again.

WFTV