Man arrested in armed kidnapping, robbery of woman

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has located a man sought for questioning in an armed kidnapping and robbery of a woman in Kissimmee. 

Osceola County Sheriff's Office detectives have named Gabriel Rene, 22, as a person of interest in this case.  Rene has an active felony warrant for armed kidnapping and armed robbery for unrelated cases.

Deputies said a woman was taken at gunpoint from a Target, at 4795 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.  The suspect ordered her to drive to an ATM to withdraw money and then made the victim drive for several hours around the area in an effort to locate other victims. According to investigators, the woman was ordered to return to the Target parking lot, where the suspect beat her. 

The suspect was described as a man "of medium complexion," about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighing 140 pounds, with brown/hazel eyes.  He was wearing black pants, a black sweater, black and green boots, a black mask with a leaf pattern, a black hat with "B" logo, and dark sunglasses.

Rene was identified as the suspect in a similar kidnapping that took place on February 9, in the area of Oak Commons Blvd.  In that case, the victim was held for 24 hours and was forced to drive the suspect throughout the city.  An arrest warrant charging him with kidnapping, false imprisonment, armed robbery, aggravated assault and grand theft was obtained.   The Kissimmee Police Department was working with the U.S. Marshals to locate Rene since this incident occurred.

Rene was located around 1 p.m. on Friday at the Lynx Intermodal Station on Dakin Ave.  He was taken into custody by Kissimmee police detectives without incident.