Author: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, Fla. (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Ridesall driver was allegedly held at gunpoint by a “customer” who ordered him to drive from Texas to South Florida. Once in South Florida, the Ridesall driver fled and led police to the suspect, who is now in custody and facing multiple charges. The U.S. Department of Justice provided the following details to BocaNewsNow.com on Thursday afternoon:
“According to the complaint, a ride-share driver working in Arlington, Texas, gave Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez, age 23, a ride on August 16th at approximately 10:30 p.m. Pastran Hernandez requested a ride to a closed gas station. Upon arriving at the gas station, Pastran Hernandez pulled out a gun and the victim heard the sound of the gun being loaded.”
Pastran Hernandez threatened to tie up the driver and force him into the back seat of his car. Pastran Hernandez then ordered the victim to drive through several states to Florida. Once in South Florida, Pastran Hernandez discussed plans to kidnap another victim for ransom. On August 19, Pastran Hernandez forced the victim to drive to a store in Hialeah to buy supplies for a second kidnapping. While at the store, the victim escaped Pastran Hernandez, but Pastran Hernandez was later arrested and found in possession of a bag containing a loaded firearm.
Pastran-Hernandez was ordered detained when he appeared in Miami federal court on Aug. 20 on charges of kidnapping, carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. A pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney Markenzie LaPointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI’s Miami Field Office. The FBI’s Miami Field Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Hanna is prosecuting the case.
