The kidnapping suspect was indicted on multiple charges in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, according to court documents.
ARLINGTON, Texas — A man accused of kidnapping a ride-share driver at gunpoint and forcing him to drive more than 1,300 miles to Miami, Florida, was indicted by a grand jury last week.
Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez, 23, was indicted on Aug. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on charges of kidnapping, carjacking and brandishing a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court documents, Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez requested a ride using Lyft in Arlington around 10:30 p.m. on August 16, and the driver picked him up and took him to a designated drop-off point, which was a gas station that appeared to be closed. Authorities say Pastran Hernandez then pulled out a gun and fired shots.
Authorities said the driver offered to give Pastran-Hernandez anything he wanted in the car, but Pastran-Hernandez threatened to tie the driver up and force him into the back seat of the car.
According to the affidavit, the ride-share driver pleaded with Pastran-Hernandez to drive, and Pastran-Hernandez demanded the driver start driving toward Florida and stay within the speed limit.
According to court records, the driver had an empty 9mm handgun and ammunition stored separately in the vehicle, but Pastran-Hernandez found and kept them.
After about 12 hours in the car, Pastran-Hernandez ordered the driver to call the children and tell them he was on an extended business trip so they would not suspect the victim’s absence, according to the affidavit. Around 11 a.m. on Aug. 17, they were in Louisiana.
According to court records, they arrived in the Miami Beach area on August 18, and upon arrival, Pastran-Hernandez ordered his driver to take another person to watch, whom Pastran-Hernandez allegedly stated he intended to kidnap and demand a $3 million ransom.
According to court records, Pastran-Hernandez ordered the driver to take him to a Dollar General store in Hialeah, Florida, to buy supplies for a second kidnapping on Aug. 19. The driver hid in the store’s bathroom until police arrived, according to court records.
It’s unclear whether the driver called police themselves or a store employee. Pastran-Hernandez fled the scene, but authorities arrested him three hours later in Hollywood, Florida.
During questioning with police, Pastran-Hernandez admitted to kidnapping the ride-share driver at gunpoint, according to the affidavit.
The ride-share driver’s identity was not released in court documents, and it’s unclear where Pastran-Hernandez lives or why he was in Arlington.
