Armed Kidnapping Suspect Remains On the Loose

The search for a suspect wanted in connection with an injury crash followed by an armed kidnapping Friday afternoon continues.

St. Petersburg Police, however, have cleared the area around the Bel-Air Apartments where the intensive search first began. Just before 4 p.m., the agency announced the suspect was not located within the 1200 102nd Ave. N. apartments. The agency says it is working on several leads to locate the person.

Police say the incident began to unfold around 12:18 p.m. when a silver Toyota Camry, traveling at a high rate of speed, struck a vehicle that was exiting onto 4th at 110th Avenue North, the police department wrote in an email to media. The male driver of the Camry got out of the car, police say, and tried to flee the area by scaling a nearby fence.

The suspect, however, was unable to make it over the fence.

A passing motorist happened to see him and noticed he was bleeding from the head. The motorist, the email said, asked the suspect if he needed help.

At that point, police say the injured driver displayed a gun in his waistband and demanded a ride. The man who offered to help was forced to take the suspect to the area of the Bel-Air Apartments, 1200 102nd Ave. N., where the suspect jumped out of the car and fled into the apartment complex.

Shaken, but unhurt, the motorist called police, the email said.

Officers are looking for a black male estimated to be between 15 and 18 years old. He is described as being about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. The suspect has a medium complexion, short hair and a mustache. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and black pants. Police say he has a visible head injury and should be considered armed and dangerous.

As for the car accident victim, police say the 20-year-old man suffered only minor injuries. He is expected to be treated and released from a local hospital.

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Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:58 with the latest information from the St. Petersburg Police Department.