TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman was rescued by authorities in Florida on Monday after she says she was subjected to months of horrific abuse and torture, according to officials.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found the victim after someone called about an injured woman who “just escaped from a van and needed help” at a Mobil gas station in Seffner, about 10 miles east of Tampa.
According to investigators, the victim had been kidnapped in January by Walter Medina, 48, of Tampa, whom she met while panhandling.
The video above shows dash camera footage from Florida Highway Patrol as the suspect’s vehicle became disabled during a chase.
At first, Medina gave the victim food and drugs, but things soon turned into a saga of “unimaginable suffering” as the suspect allegedly subjected the victim to nonstop abuse while holding her against her will for two and a half months, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators said during this time, Medina is believed to have taken the victim across the Tampa Bay area and threatened to kill her if she ever tried to escape.
Deputies said Medina allegedly attacked the woman multiple times with a baseball bat and a flathead screwdriver, leaving her with “severe injuries including, but not limited to, broken ribs, deep puncture wounds, and extensive bruising.”
Eventually, the victim took the chance to escape after Medina left her alone for a short moment at Walgreens. Deputies took her to a hospital to be treated for injuries to her face and body.
“I can’t imagine the torture this victim endured for months, but I can imagine the relief she felt when our deputies arrived,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “I have to commend the bravery of the victim for escaping her captor and seeking help. Our thoughts are with her as she recovers from this traumatic ordeal.”
After rescuing the victim, deputies got a warrant for Medina’s arrest on numerous charges including attempted second-degree murder, armed kidnapping, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and other serious felonies.
Medina was arrested Tuesday after a chase involving the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to FHP, the 48-year-old attempted to elude law enforcement by weaving in and out of traffic recklessly. At one point, when Medina encountered heavy traffic, he started driving on the left shoulder at more than 100 mph.
Troopers attempted a PIT maneuver twice to stop the vehicle; however, the attempts were unsuccessful.
Then, as Medina veered from the inside lane to the outside lane, he approached another vehicle and collided with it but continued driving away at a high rate of speed. As he approached an exit, troopers attempted another unsuccessful PIT maneuver.
Medina was able to take the exit ramp and continued speeding, driving through a red light, before attempting to make a right turn, striking a raised median, which disabled his vehicle.
From there, FHP said troopers gave Medina verbal commands to comply with their orders, but he continued to resist their instructions. When Medina refused to show his hands and began reaching into the vehicle, a K-9 unit was deployed and took down the suspect.
“This suspect’s reign of violent terror is now over,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “I am endlessly grateful for our law enforcement partners who put their lives on the line in service and protection of our community while apprehending this suspect. This joint effort exemplifies the strength of our community’s law enforcement network and our shared commitment to keeping our streets safe.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Medina was previously convicted and sent to prison for false imprisonment. His prior arrest history also includes kidnapping, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and robbery.
Medina was taken to the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Once he’s released, he will be taken to the Orange County Jail.
