A man who kidnapped a ride-share driver at gunpoint in Texas and forced him to drive to Miami is facing federal charges, authorities said.
Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez, 23, was arrested Monday on charges including kidnapping, carjacking and possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime of violence, records show.
According to the criminal complaint, FBI agents learned that on the night of August 16, the victim was working as a ride-share driver in the Arlington, Texas, area and had picked up passengers through a ride-share app.
According to the complaint, the passenger, who identified himself as “Alex” on the app but was later identified as Pastran-Hernandez, was picked up around 10:30 p.m. and taken to a gas station that appeared to be closed.
Pastran-Hernandez pulled a gun and the victim handed him some belongings that were in the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
According to the criminal complaint, Pastran-Hernandez told the victim he was going to tie her up and put her in the backseat of his car, but the victim begged to be allowed to drive.
Pastran-Hernandez then ordered the victim to drive toward Florida and obey the speed limit, which the victim did, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, around 11 a.m. the next day, while traveling from Louisiana to Florida, Pastran-Hernandez asked the victims to call their children and tell them they were on an extended business trip so they would not become suspicious of their absence.
At some point, Pastran-Hernandez noticed bullets in the victim’s vehicle along with ammunition and took the gun and ammunition, according to the criminal complaint.
Pastran-Hernandez ordered the victim to continue driving toward Miami, and by that evening they had arrived in Florida. On Sunday, August 18, Pastran-Hernandez ordered the victim to drive to Miami Beach.
At some point, Pastran-Hernandez began surveilling another potential victim and told the driver he intended to kidnap the victim and demand a $3 million ransom, according to the criminal complaint.
Pastran-Hernandez had a ride-share driver take him to a Dollar General in Hialeah to buy supplies needed for the kidnapping.
Upon arriving, the ride-share driver was able to hide in the store’s restroom, and police arrived a short time later, but Pastran-Hernandez fled the store on foot, according to the complaint.
Authorities found Pastran Hernandez a few hours later in Hollywood, where he again tried to flee but was taken into custody.
He had the ride-share driver’s gun in his bag, and it was loaded, according to the complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, Pastran-Hernandez admitted to authorities that he arranged a carpool in Texas, kidnapped the victim at gunpoint and forced him to drive to Florida.
Pastran-Hernandez was booked into jail, records show. Attorney information was not available.
