HIALEAH, Fla. – Two Hialeah men face felony charges after a man told police he was ambushed, beaten, tied with a rope and dragged into a vehicle during a violent kidnapping on Saturday, authorities confirmed in an arrest report on Tuesday.
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Yohandry Rivera, 40, and Sacha Moreno, 26, surrendered to Hialeah police and were arrested on one count each of kidnapping, armed robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, according to jail records.
Police said the attack happened around 3:30 p.m. Saturday at a business located near the 800 block of West 20th Street.
The victim told officers that earlier in the day, he and his ex-girlfriend, who still share a residence, had an argument that prompted her to call police.
About 30 minutes later, police said Rivera, the woman’s father, called the victim and offered a job opportunity at his business.
When the victim arrived, police said he was met by Rivera when Moreno, who police identified as Rivera’s brother-in-law, approached from behind and attacked him.
According to a sworn statement given to detectives, Rivera punched the victim in the face and then pistol-whipped him with a black handgun, causing a large hematoma.
As the victim tried to stand up, authorities said Moreno put him in a chokehold from behind while Rivera tied his feet with a rope.
Police said Moreno then dragged the restrained victim into a vehicle inside the business while still choking him. Rivera reportedly tried to retie the victim’s legs and briefly set the handgun down — giving the victim a chance to grab it, according to the report.
The report states a struggle followed, but Moreno struck the victim in the back of the head, forcing him to drop the gun.
Police said Rivera then retrieved the gun, pointed it at the victim and searched his pockets, taking his wallet.
They said the victim pleaded for his life and was eventually released outside the business.
He then reported the incident to police, who noted visible bruising, marks on his ankles and a hematoma on his head — injuries consistent with his statement, according to the report.
Both Rivera and Moreno were taken into custody and booked into jail Saturday.
Police said both suspects invoked their rights and did not provide statements to detectives.
Jail records show that both men are being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Tuesday afternoon.
