A violent suspect is under arrest after inflicting months of captivity and abuse.
On Monday, April 1, 2024, HCSO deputies were dispatched to a Mobil gas station in Seffner after a caller reported an injured female had just escaped from a van and needed help.
The victim, who had been panhandling in the area of Hillsborough Avenue and Habana Avenue since January 2024, met the suspect, Walter Medina, 48, during that time. Initially providing the victim with food and narcotics, Medina’s actions turned violent as he subjected her to months of relentless physical abuse and captivity.
Medina repeatedly assaulted the victim using a wooden baseball bat and a flathead screwdriver, inflicting severe injuries including, but not limited to, broken ribs, deep puncture wounds, and extensive bruising. Over approximately 2.5 months, the victim endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of Medina as he forcibly transported her around the Tampa Bay area and threatened to kill her if she fled or sought help.
The victim’s opportunity for escape arose when Medina briefly left her unattended at Walgreens. When deputies arrived they noted the victim sustained numerous injuries to her face and body and she was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
“I can’t imagine the torture this victim endured for months, but I can imagine the relief she felt when our deputies arrived,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I have to commend the bravery of the victim for escaping her captor and seeking help. Our thoughts are with her as she recovers from this traumatic ordeal.”
HCSO detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Medina for the following charges: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Kidnapping, Armed False Imprisonment, Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm, Tampering with a Witness, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Medina was arrested following a pursuit with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol on April 2, 2024.
“This suspect’s reign of violent terror is now over,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I am endlessly grateful for our law enforcement partners who put their lives on the line in service and protection of our community while apprehending this suspect. This joint effort exemplifies the strength of our community’s law enforcement network and our shared commitment to keeping our streets safe.”
Medina has served time in prison for a previous False Imprisonment case and has an arrest history including Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Robbery.
This afternoon, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers were advised of an active pursuit of an attempted murder suspect driving a gold Town and Country Ford van traveling Eastbound on Interstate 4 (I-4) from Polk County entering Osceola County.
While Troopers in the area prepared to stop the vehicle traveling towards them, they observed a gold van matching the description driving at a high rate of speed while being pursued by another FHP Trooper, Deputies with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Lakeland Police Department. The suspect vehicle, attempting to elude law enforcement, began to weave in and out of traffic recklessly, endangering other motorists.
The suspect, encountering heavy traffic, began utilizing the left shoulder to drive more than 100 miles per hour. While continuing to flee law enforcement, the driver failed to maintain a single lane and weaved between other vehicles using both shoulders of the roadway. Troopers attempted to conduct precision immobilization techniques (PIT) twice to stop the vehicle from endangering others on the roadway; however, the maneuvers were unsuccessful.
As the suspect veered from the inside lane to the outside lane, it quickly approached another vehicle, colliding with the left side of it and continuing to travel at a high rate of speed, approaching the exit of John Young Parkway. Troopers attempted another PIT maneuver and were unable to stop the fleeing suspect. The suspect vehicle exiting the ramp continued to drive recklessly at high speed, driving through a red traffic signal before attempting to make a right turn but colliding with a raised median, disabling the vehicle.
Troopers conducted a felony traffic stop on the vehicle and gave verbal commands to the driver directing him to comply with their orders. The driver continued to resist Trooper’s instruction to comply, and as other law enforcement arrived, including an FHP K-9 unit, the suspect refused to show his hands and began reaching his right hand into the vehicle. FHP K-9 Rico was deployed and apprehended the fleeing suspect allowing Troopers to make an arrest.
The suspect, identified as Walter Medina, 48 of Tampa, had active warrants out of Hillsborough County for the following:
- Aggravated Battery Great Bodily Harm and Deadly Weapon
- Armed Kidnapping Harm or Terrorizing
- Armed False Imprisonment
- Attempted Murder in the Second Degree with Weapon
- Tampering with a Witness
- Tampering with Physical Evidence
Following Medina’s pursuit from law enforcement, he will face additional charges including:
- Reckless Driving Damage to Person or Property
- Flee to Elude Law Enforcement at High Speed
- Hit and Run-Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Damage to Property
Walter Medina was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center by EMS while Troopers followed. Upon release from the hospital, Medina will be delivered to the Orange County Jail where he will be booked on the above charges.
The investigation remains active and additional charges are pending.
