A shocking incident unfolded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a Texas couple staying in an Airbnb home discovered hidden cameras disguised as smoke detectors. This revelation led to a series of events involving an abduction, a bomb threat, and a daring rescue attempt.
According to a federal indictment unsealed on Tuesday, three men, identified as Jeffry Arista, Jonathan Arista, and Raymond Gomez, abducted a man in a parking garage outside his Fort Lauderdale home. Posing as law enforcement officers, the suspects forced the victim into the back of a vehicle with police-style lights.
However, the plot took a drastic turn when the abductors realized they had targeted the wrong person. It was later revealed that they had been hired to abduct a different individual. This case bears similarities to infamous Colombian cartel activity, according to Pat Diaz, a retired Miami-Dade homicide detective.
The victim, who played along with the abductors, managed to escape briefly and called in a bomb threat, attracting a massive police response. Authorities praised his quick thinking, which ultimately led to his rescue.
During the ordeal, the suspects threatened the victim with pistols, stun guns, and an electric drill. They also waterboarded him in a bathroom. The abductors held him captive for approximately 12 hours before hatching a plan to use him as bait for their intended target, who turned out to be his coworker.
The abductors provided the victim with a replacement phone to contact their intended target. Upon learning the actual target’s location, they drove the victim there in a rented Porsche. However, the victim warned his coworker and called in a bomb threat, prompting swift police action.
Jeffry Arista was arrested at the scene as he recorded the victim on his cellphone. The other two suspects attempted to flee in the Porsche but crashed down the street. Jonathan Arista was apprehended, while Raymond Gomez managed to escape temporarily before being captured the following day at the Airbnb rental.
Police had been monitoring the Airbnb property, and they witnessed two men cleaning up the house before leaving in a Honda. They followed the vehicle, and Gomez tried to flee on foot but was apprehended. The other man claimed that Gomez had contacted him after the crash and asked for assistance in cleaning up the rental property.
Gomez later confessed to being hired by an unknown individual to abduct the target over an unpaid debt. The investigation into this shocking case is ongoing.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can arise in rental properties. Airbnb has faced scrutiny in the past for similar incidents, and it raises questions about the company’s safety measures and screening processes.
The victim’s quick thinking and bravery played a crucial role in his rescue, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant and taking action in dangerous situations. The authorities have commended his actions, which undoubtedly saved lives.
As the investigation continues, the Fort Lauderdale community is left shocked and disturbed by the audacity of this abduction plot. The incident serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the need for increased security measures to protect individuals staying in rental properties.
