A 36-year-old man has been found guilty of kidnapping and assault in connection with a violent crime spree in 2023 that terrorized his wife and their four children across multiple counties, culminating in their rescue by Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Antonio Caban now faces a potential life sentence at his upcoming sentencing hearing on July 7 in Collier County Circuit Court.
“This case is a stark reminder of the dangers victims of domestic violence can face,” said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “I commend the victim for her courage and quick thinking in the face of great danger. I also want to thank our deputies and partnering agencies for their rapid, coordinated response that brought this family to safety and helped bring a violent offender to justice.”
The daylong ordeal began in LaBelle on January 3, 2023, when Caban took control of his wife’s car, physically assaulted her by hitting and biting her face, and threatened his children. The family had recently fled their home in Puerto Rico to escape years of abuse by Caban.
For several hours, Caban drove his family across multiple counties, issuing threats of violence and at one point striking his wife with a tire iron. To prevent tracking, he buried her phone in a citrus field, then ominously told her he intended to buy a shovel from a home improvement store to kill and bury them all.
The victim’s quick thinking ultimately led to their salvation. She managed to trick Caban into taking her to a women’s shelter in Immokalee, where she alerted staff to their plight. Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies promptly responded, safely rescuing the family and taking Caban into custody.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, led by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, with critical support from deputies of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
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