A Texas man, Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez, 23, has been charged with kidnapping a rideshare driver at gunpoint and forcing him to travel to South Florida.
According to the criminal complaint, on August 16, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Pastran Hernandez ordered a ride in Arlington, Texas. The driver was instructed to take him to a closed gas station. Upon arrival, Pastran Hernandez pulled out a gun, chambered a round, and threatened to tie up the driver. He then directed the victim to drive to Florida, traveling through multiple states.
Upon reaching South Florida, Pastran Hernandez revealed plans to kidnap another individual for ransom. On August 19, he had the driver stop at a store in Hialeah to purchase supplies for the second kidnapping. The victim escaped from Pastran Hernandez at the store, leading to Pastran Hernandez’s arrest. Authorities found him in possession of a bag with a loaded firearm.
Pastran Hernandez appeared in Miami federal court on August 20, facing charges of kidnapping, carjacking, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He was ordered detained, with a pre-trial detention hearing set for August 26 and an arraignment scheduled for September 3.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri announced the charges.
