A Florida man has been arrested and charged with two robberies last week, one that included the kidnapping and rape of a Door Dash driver.
Tampa Police said that Joseph Killins, 38, forced the Door Dash driver, in her 20s, back into her car as she was making a delivery at the Residence Inn just after 11 p.m. He forced her to drive to Belara Lakes Apartments, where he sexually battered her.
“At the time this occurred, the victim had AirPods in her ears and an open line with her girlfriend, who quickly realized that a robbery was occurring,” police said. “The family of the victim called the police and officers were dispatched to the hotel.”
The victim’s family continued to track her via her phone and arrived to rescue her from the car. Killins reportedly responded by firing at them, striking a family member of the victim’s girlfriend, before he fled the scene. Both victims were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Just a few hours later, Killins allegedly threw another victim, in her early 40s, to the ground, punched her, and stole her backpack, still at Belara Lakes. As detectives investigated that case, they recovered items related to the April 18 attack. Robbery detectives brought in Special Victims Unit investigators to interview Killins, who “disclosed details that were specific to the crimes that occurred on April 18,” police said.
“This criminal is now off the streets thanks to the tireless efforts of every Tampa Police Department employee and the assistance provided by members of our community,” said Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “My thoughts remain with the victims. I hope this arrest brings them a sense of comfort knowing that he will now face justice for the crimes he chose to commit.”
Killins is charged with armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, armed sexual battery, and aggravated battery with a weapon for the April 18 incident and robbery for the April 19 incident.
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[Featured image: Joseph Killins/Tampa Police Department]
