The Tampa Police Department said Saturday that authorities arrested and charged a Florida man for allegedly kidnapping and raping a female DoorDash driver in her early 20s, shooting a member of the victim’s family, and then committing a robbery.
Joseph Killins, 38, was arrested on Saturday in relation to a kidnapping and sexual battery that occurred on April 18 just after 11:00 p.m. at a Residence Inn hotel. Police said the suspect held the unidentified female delivery driver at gunpoint, forced her back into her car, and made her drive to the Belara Lakes Apartment complex where he allegedly raped her, police said.
According to law enforcement, family members of the DoorDash driver rescued her from Killins after tracking her cellphone location. When her family arrived, Killins allegedly fired multiple bullets at the victim’s kin, with one shot striking a family member of the victim’s girlfriend before fleeing the scene.
“At the time this occurred, the victim had AirPods in her ears and an open line with her girlfriend, who quickly realized that a robbery was occurring,” authorities said in a news release. “The family of the victim called the police, and officers were dispatched to the hotel.”
Authorities transported both victims to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
“It is clear this suspect has no regard for human life,” Interim Chief Lee Bercaw said.
The following day, police named Killins as a suspect involved in a robbery inside the apartment complex, where he allegedly threw a female in her early 40s to the ground, punched her, and stole her backpack. Witnesses say they saw Killins running toward the Haven Waters Edge Apartment complex.
Detectives working on both cases collaborated, leading them to the Tampa Inn, where they arrested Killins late Friday night.
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“This criminal is now off the streets thanks to the tireless efforts of every Tampa Police Department employee and the assistance provided by members of our community,” Bercaw said. “My thoughts remain with the victims. I hope this arrest brings them a sense of comfort knowing that he will now face justice for the crimes he chose to commit.”
🚨𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘🚨#YourTampaPD has arrested 38yo Joseph Killins, charging him for the kidnapping and sexual battery that occurred on April 18 and an additional robbery that took place in the early morning of April 19.
Details➡️https://t.co/pNXRw2JWwk pic.twitter.com/fTTC1j3Ihq— Tampa Police Department (@TampaPD) April 22, 2023
Julian Crowley, a spokesperson for DoorDash, told The New York Post that the online food ordering and delivery platform is grateful to Tampa Police for holding the perpetrator accountable, hoping “justice is served.”
“We are appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime. No one should ever have to endure something as horrific as this, and we’re here to support the Dasher in any way we can,” Crowley said.
Killins faces charges of armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, armed sexual battery, and aggravated battery with a weapon for the alleged events held on April 18, with an additional robbery charge for the April 19 accusation.
Authorities are currently holding Killins at Orient Road Jail.