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Crime News Breaking News

Dramatic Video Shows Taser and Arrest of Florida Kidnapping Suspect

Benjamin Victor Hovan was wanted in connection to a five-day crime spree across Florida. 

By Jill Sederstrom

An alleged multi-day crime spree came to an end in Florida when Titusville police tasered and subdued a man wanted in connection with a violent home invasion, rape and kidnapping. The dramatic take-down was caught on video and shows the suspect, identified as Benjamin Victor Hovan, 32, fleeing the scene before police are able to hit him with a Taser, knocking him to the ground.

The arrest came after Titusville Police Officer Austin Quinn held the door open for Hovan at a gas station and recognized him from images released to the public as part of a nationwide arrest warrant.

"It was pretty high-paced, because I didn't know [if] he had a weapon on him," Quinn later told Fox 35 of the arrest. "I had cause to stop him, I was pretty sure he was who I thought he was."

Hovan is accused of forcing his way into the apartment of a 24-year-old woman in Casselberry and holding her and another 24-year-old woman at knifepoint. The woman had opened the door to her apartment thinking it was a delivery man.

"The suspect sexually battered one of the victims and then kidnapped both victims by forcing them into a vehicle owned by one of the victims," Casselberry Police Cmdr. William Nas told WFTV 9. "The suspect then drove the victims to a Publix in Maitland, where he ordered one to get money out of the ATM."

While in the store, the woman was able to ask an employee to call 911; however, by the time police arrived, the suspect had already driven away in the stolen 2006 Toyota Matrix, leaving both victims behind.

Captain Brenda Brandenberger of the Casselberry Police Department told Oxygen.com police were later able to recover the stolen vehicle. Hovan's fingerprint was discovered in the car allowing police to identify him as a suspect and issue a warrant. 

Police say Hovan is also suspected of robbing a 62-year-old woman at gunpoint in South Miami, according to the Miami Herald. Hovan allegedly stole the woman's jewelry and pistol-whipped her before taking off in her Mercedes Benz.

At the time of his arrest on July 5, Hovan was still in possession of the stolen Mercedes, WFTV 9 reported.

Hovan was briefly taken to the hospital to address some minor injuries before being booked in Brevard County for home invasion, sexual battery and kidnapping.

"We're very happy he's no longer on the streets, for everybody," Brandenberger said, according to Fox News. "He was traveling a long distance, committing any crime he could."

[Photo: Casselberry Police]

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