What started as an early-Sunday ride in Hillsborough County turned into a terrifying ordeal, according to deputies, after a woman was forced into a vehicle, taken to another location, beaten and held against her will before she managed to escape and get help. Investigators say she suffered visible injuries, and three suspects are now behind bars while the case remains very much active.
In a press release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrests of 35-year-old Dalberto Mena Schueg, 21-year-old Brayan Parada Balboa and 25-year-old Danilo Maturell Coasta. Deputies say Mena Schueg and Parada Balboa are charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, tampering with a witness and simple battery, while Maturell Coasta faces a charge of false imprisonment. Detectives developed the case quickly, and the agency says all three were taken into custody the day after the incident.
According to local coverage from the Tampa Free Press, the episode began around 6 a.m., when the victim was forced into a vehicle and driven to a second location. She eventually escaped near daybreak and sought help. Deputies reportedly found evidence she had been battered while being held. A possible motive has not been released, and investigators have not shared additional details about the locations involved as they continue to gather statements and process the scene.
What investigators say
Sheriff Chad Chronister credited deputies with moving quickly after the woman came forward. "Those responsible are now in custody," Chronister said, according to the sheriff’s office release, while urging anyone who knows more about what happened to speak up. The agency says detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and analyze physical evidence, and that further updates will come from its Public Affairs Office as the case advances toward review by prosecutors.
Legal notes
Kidnapping and related charges in Florida are covered under Chapter 787 of the Florida Statutes, which defines kidnapping as forcibly, secretly or by threat confining, abducting or imprisoning another person against their will. The chapter lays out offenses such as kidnapping and false imprisonment, along with other custody-related crimes, and gives prosecutors the framework they use to decide on charges and potential penalties. Authorities also note that the three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Free Press reports. The suspects face the charges listed by HCSO and will move through the county court system as prosecutors evaluate the evidence. Deputies have reminded residents that victim support resources are available and encouraged people with tips to call the non‑emergency line or send information online.
