ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL – A quick-thinking victim and an observant citizen helped St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) deputies and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers apprehend a man accused of robbery, kidnapping, and grand theft auto. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at a business located at 1054 SR 206 East.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the scene after a 911 caller reported a male subject attempting to force a female into a vehicle in the parking lot. The investigation revealed that the male suspect had committed a robbery inside the business before forcefully removing a female employee and dragging her outside. He then attempted to push her into his vehicle. The victim actively fought her attacker, drawing the attention of a nearby citizen who intervened and called SJSO. The suspect then abandoned his kidnapping attempt and fled.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers located the suspect, identified as Theodore Michael Tundidor, 31, driving recklessly near Marineland on A1A. Tundidor fled from FWC but was subsequently captured.
SJSO detectives charged Tundidor with kidnapping, robbery, and grand theft auto. FWC added additional charges for driving under the influence and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
SJSO praised the victim’s actions, stating, “The victim in this situation did everything right – scream/yell, fight, attract attention.”
The SJSO Women Against Violent Encounters (WAVE) instructors offer safety advice, emphasizing observing surroundings, knowing one’s “Danger Zone,” trusting instincts, creating distance from threats, mental rehearsal for worst-case scenarios, and the importance of attitude, mental commitment, and preparation. WAVE is an SJSO initiative led by women law enforcement officers to educate women on threat awareness and basic self-defense. To learn more, visit https://www.sjso.org/community-programs/crime-prevention/wave/.
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