Women Accused Of Luring Men To Be Robbed, Tortured

PLANT CITY, FL – Plant City Police say Hispanic men in the community are being lured into meetings with women and then tortured, kidnapped and robbed.

From April to June, police say five men arranged through Facebook to meet women at a home in the 900 block of West Risk Street. When the men arrived, a woman met them in the driveway and led them into the home where they were robbed, tortured and beaten by male accomplices.

Police said the men are held against their will -- anywhere from a few hours to two days -- and told if they d0 not cooperate, their families will be harmed. The men are then driven to ATM machines in their own vehicles and forced to remove money from their accounts.

After obtaining getting the money, the men are released but the robbers keep their vehicles.

To date, police have made four arrests:

• Thomas Nolasco, aka "Chino," 26, was charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of robbery, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of battery.
• Joshua Rodriguez, aka "Dolo," 21, was charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of robbery, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of battery.
• Carina Bailon, 20, was charged as a principal to commit kidnapping, robbery and battery.
• Melissa Long, 27, was charged as a principal to commit kidnapping, robbery and battery.

There is also a warrant for the arrest of James T. Smith, 19.

If anyone feels he has been a victim, he should contact Detective Mark Dunnam at (813) 757-9200.