A Facebook date turned into a nightmarish scenario for a San Mateo resident after what started as a meet-up based on romantic intentions escalated into a kidnapping and robbery incident. The San Mateo Police Department reported the arrest of 31-year-old Luciana Romano following the alleged crime. The victim, who has not been named, met Romano through Facebook for what was expected to be a private date. However, the encounter took a dark turn when, according to the victim, Romano threatened his life and coerced him into withdrawing money from an ATM during their first in-person meeting
The events unfolded last Thursday night in San Mateo, where the two had agreed to meet. Initially engaging in what appeared to be normal conversation within the victim's vehicle, the situation swiftly devolved when Romano allegedly issued her threats. The victim then drove to a San Carlos gas station to withdraw cash, and they made a brief stop at a local motel before returning to San Mateo, where Romano left the vehicle. The victim quickly reported the incident to the police, supplying them with Romano's Facebook photo, which led to her identification and subsequent arrest
In a swift response from the San Mateo Police, an operation was set up to apprehend Romano the following day. Details from the San Mateo Police Department Nixle alert indicate that Romano was taken into custody upon exiting her apartment on Friday evening. After an interview with the authorities, she was booked into County Jail on charges of kidnapping (207(a) PC) and robbery (211 PC).
