ORLANDO, Fla. — Four teenagers have been arrested, accused of carjacking and kidnapping a federal agent who was visiting Orlando.
Investigators said the man was attacked while unloading his luggage outside a hotel near International Drive earlier this week.
Authorities said the victim was pistol-whipped, tied up with duct tape and zip ties, and forced to drive the teens around in his SUV for two hours, before he was able to break free and get help.
Raw: Orange Co. sheriff arrests in carjacking
Investigators said Dante Askins, 18, was arrested after being found in another stolen car on Thursday. Authorities said Askins' fingerprints were on the agent's SUV.
On Friday, investigators said they arrested Levanti Redding, 16, and Montez Taylor, 15.
A fourth suspect, Gregory McDonald, 18, was arrested Friday night in a West Orange County apartment complex.
Redding’s mother broke down in tears after she learned how much trouble he’s facing.
“I want to tell his family I’m sorry for whatever happened. I don’t know what happened,” said Tracey Redding.
Orange County deputies said the group was responsible for the carjacking and kidnapping of a federal agent right in the heart of the tourist district, near the Orlando Eye.
"These individuals are high school students, playing a dangerous game," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Friday.
Deputies said the federal agent, identified in court documents as Armando Alaniz, from Texas, was staying at the Fairfield Inn on Universal Boulevard with his family.
The men ditched the SUV on Cypress Avenue near Ivey Lane when an OnStar representative called, and the agent was able to get away.
Askins was later found in another stolen car on International Drive near the convention center. Deputies said Askins admitted he was involved. He also gave up one of the other suspects, deputies said.
Redding's family told Channel 9's Jeff Deal that Redding turned himself in to deputies Friday morning. They said he told them he didn't know the others had a crime spree planned.
His mother said she wanted the federal agent to know she was sorry for the incident.
"I have sympathy for him. I want to tell his family sorry for what happened," she said.
Deputies said they arrested Taylor Friday afternoon. They described him as the gunman.
In January, Orange County prosecutors dropped four counts of attempted murder against Askins, an alleged gang member, in connection to a 2013 shooting.
Documents showed Alaniz required four staples to the back of his head after being pistol-whipped.
“He’s doing OK with his family,” Demings said.
WFTV
