Hart Driver Fears For Safety As Passenger Makes Threats

WIMAUMA, FL — A 36-year-old suspect is charged with carjacking, false imprisonment and trespass in an occupied structure on Wednesday morning after he made demands and threats to a Hart van driver in Ruskin, police said.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said the driver feared for their life when the suspect, Roberto Allen, threatened them as he told them to drive him to a different location.

Detectives said the driver tried to get away from Allen by getting back in the van that was parked in a shopping center parking lot in the 3000 block of E. College Avenue, but the suspect got into the driver's seat first.

The driver eventually had the opportunity to gain control of the driver's seat and drive away before deputies arrived, investigators said.

Law enforcement officials arrested Allen later on at a gas station located at 5802 State Road 674.

"Thankfully, the driver was unharmed during the course of this incident," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The driver was clearly in fear of their life, leaving the scene of the original 9-1-1 call. I commend our deputies who were able to ultimately track down the van after the driver drove away from the shopping center. This suspect will be charged to the fullest extent for the fear he instilled into the driver whose duty is to serve the public."