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Couple’s nightmare as armed burglars ‘use Apple AirTag to track and kidnap them’

David Benjamin
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
Detectives in Florida say that two men accused of armed burglary in a terrifying raid are suspected of using an Apple AirTag to track their victims before ambushing them outside their home (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Carmen DeJesus, 60, and Jose Diaz Jimenez, 62, were grabbed from their vehicle and forced into the garage of their home in Odessa during the incident back in August (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
Surveillance footage captured two men sneaking up on the pair before one pulls out a gun, authorities said. One suspect wore an orange reflective vest over a bright neon yellow-green shirt, while the other dressed in dark clothing and covered his face with a mask (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
The video footage shows the moment the woman was confronted and dragged toward the house as she fought to resist. She’s seen struggling with her attacker before being overpowered and forced into the couple’s garage (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Bangkok, Thailand - Febrauary 5, 2022: AirTag is a tracking device developed by Apple.
Moments later, the home’s alarm system was triggered and the suspects fled, investigators said. Detectives later discovered an Apple AirTag hidden under the couple’s SUV, suggesting that the pair may have been tracked by the criminals behind the botched robbery attempt (stock image) (Picture: Getty Images)
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
The accused men, identified by police as Luis Charles, 26, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, were arrested in separate operations. The pair now face a series of charges in connection with the incident including armed burglary and armed kidnapping, police say (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
Bodycam footage released by Tampa Police showed Charles being taken into custody during a traffic stop on October 8, while Maldonado-Rodriguez was arrested two days later in nearby Pasco County (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
‘To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family’s worst nightmare,’ said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. ‘Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier’ (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
**Pictured: Luis Charles and Odardy Maldonado-Rodriguez were arrested and charged with armed burglary, armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment and illegal installation of a tracking device. Two men are behind bars following a terrifying home invasion in Odessa. On August 19, 2025, the suspects forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint before fleeing when an alarm was triggered. Detectives later discovered an AirTag tracking device taped beneath the victim?s vehicle. Through investigative means, both suspects have been identified and arrested. Luis Charles, 26, was taken into custody in Tampa on October 8, 2025, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, was arrested in Pasco County on October 10, 2025. Their charges include Armed Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery and Armed Kidnapping Commit Felony. "To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family?s worst nightmare," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier." Terrified couple filmed being abducted outside plush house after burglars used AIRTAG to stalk them home 15198059 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2511855869197675
Both suspects remain in jail without bond. New York Post report Charles is also facing unrelated charges of sexual battery by a familial or custodial authority on a person between the ages of 12 and 18 (Picture: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

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