Latest news with #ToyotaTacoma
CNBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
36-year-old lives and travels in her truck full-time, spends $1,305/month: 'I'm comfortable in very small spaces'
In 2019, Ashley Kaye took a scuba diving trip to Honduras that changed the course of her life. On that trip, Kaye met someone who travels full-time, and the conversation they had helped her realize she wanted to leave her career and life in Wisconsin behind and continue traveling. "He told me he wished he had done it sooner because it's so much easier and cheaper than you think. That changed everything for me," Kaye tells CNBC Make It. "I went home and worked more and more until I quit the next year." When Kaye quit her job in 2020, she says she had about $37,000 in savings, but what she struggled with the most was not having a job to fill her time. "I didn't know how to just do nothing. The first few months were really hard and I wasn't sure if I was making the right decision," she says. "Once I got into my rhythm of traveling and growing my confidence through that experience, I've never looked back and don't have a single regret about leaving." Kaye spent the next three years traveling the world, including to South Africa. In 2022, a couple reached out to Kaye on Instagram to ask about her time there and shared their own experience overlanding in a Toyota truck with a camper. Overlanding is a form of self-reliant travel that involves adventuring to remote destinations, typically in a vehicle of some type. After doing a bit of her own research, Kaye was all-in and purchased a Toyota Tacoma truck for $42,934, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Kaye picked up the truck in South Dakota and drove it back to Wisconsin, where she had just sold her childhood home for $320,000. In March 2023, Kaye drove to Baja California, Mexico, where she spent time arranging the necessary renovations to make the truck more livable. "My life is kind of like 'the plan is there is no plan.' Most people plan this type of adventure for years. I didn't even have a truck when I accepted the offer on my house," she says. "It was very spur of the moment, so I needed to take a pause and figure things out." She estimates she spent over $50,000 on the renovations. The costs included purchasing a camper, adding solar power, replacing the truck bed, upgrading the suspension, new tires, customizing a bumper, and installing an electric cooler. When the truck was ready, Kaye decided to journey the Pan-American highway, starting in Denver. The highway stretches from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina. "It's really an incredible way to travel because you get to set your own pace and if you find somewhere that's beautiful and peaceful you can stay as long as you want," Kaye says. "But there's pros and cons to every mode of travel and a lot of red tape and logistics crossing borders. It can be exhausting, especially when you're alone. You have to find a balance that works for you, but overall, it's definitely one of the coolest adventures of my lifetime." Kaye's time on the road is split between travel days and leisure days. On a travel day, she gets up early to break everything down and secure it all in the camper before embarking on a five- to seven-hour drive. On average, Kaye estimates that she spends $556 a month on gas and $453 a month on food. "The easiest part for me is being comfortable in very small spaces and I'm totally content. I can spend all day inside the camper and not feel suffocated or claustrophobic," Kaye says. "I'm constantly seeing so many vast spaces within nature that I'm really content." Once she reaches her destination, Kaye likes to stay for two to three nights before moving on to the next one. Since Kaye's truck doesn't have a bathroom, she uses a box toilet and a portable shower bag. "I try to organize everything in the truck and camper so that it's just the way that it's supposed to be. Powering down is the kind of goal on the second day," Kaye says. Kaye's other expenses include $96 a month for her cellphone bill and $200 a month for her Starlink internet. She's also spent upwards of $6,000 for unique experiences like a week-long scuba diving trip in the Galápagos Islands. Kaye has been living in the truck for years now, but says the most challenging part is still setting up and breaking down the camper. "Even though it is very simple, it's one of those things you have to do every time," she says. "If you are somebody who makes your bed every time, it's no problem, but if you're somebody who doesn't, it feels like a burden." While Kaye still hasn't finished journeying the Pan-American Highway, she is considering selling the truck at the beginning of next year. "Part of me wants to just get rid of it and move on and enter the next chapter of my life but then the larger part of me is like 'no, maybe just wait because I want to see some other places and just chill,'" she says. "I just want to finish my adventure. I'm not tired of living in the camper and I'm not tired of that lifestyle, but I am tired of driving." Kaye doesn't know where she'll settle if she ever sells the truck, but returning to the U.S. full-time is unlikely. If she ever does buy another house in the States, Kaye says it will be an investment and a source of income if she decides to rent it out. She's currently considering a life in the South of France, Spain or Italy. "Each one of them has their challenges. For me, it's about finding somewhere that I want to be and then I can deal with whatever the challenges and hoops are that come with that," she says.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Texas floods washed away their possessions. Volunteers are helping reunite them.
Matthew Rafferty was scouring the flooded riverbanks of Texas Hill Country last weekend when he stumbled on a mud-soaked baby quilt. Rafferty, a Virginia firefighter who was deployed to hard-hit Kerr County to help with search and recovery efforts, folded it up and took it back to his hotel. He rinsed it off in the bathtub. He worried the drain might clog because of all the filth, tree roots and rocks that came out. But the tub survived and, after a trip to the laundromat, the quilt was virtually good as new. He posted a photo of the blanket on a Facebook group where people across central Texas are keeping track of things they've recovered from the devastation: waterlogged clothes, stuffed animals, Barbie dolls, marriage licenses, family photo albums. Rafferty eventually connected with the quilt's owner and hand-delivered it to her. 'I'm a father of 3-year-old twin boys. I know if I'd gone through something like these quilts, I'd want it back,' said Rafferty, 34. Rafferty is part of a loose network of first responders, volunteers and good Samaritans who have fanned out across the region to help reunite Texans with the cherished belongings, family heirlooms and everyday household knickknacks that were swept away when floods ripped through Kerr County over Fourth of July weekend, killing more than 130 people and leaving at least 100 missing. This week, NBC News spoke with people in the region about the objects that have turned up in the floods' aftermath — and why they matter. In some cases, seemingly trivial items have taken on far greater emotional significance in the wake of the deadly floods. These are some of their stories. The jewelry Patty Hyatt was inside her mobile home with her 8-year-old grandson and her new beagle puppy early July 4 when her son called. The floodwaters were rising fast and they needed to get to higher ground as soon as possible, he told her. Hyatt, a 67-year-old retired teacher, loaded everyone into her Toyota Tacoma and headed to her son's house, leaving most of her things behind. When she returned to the Old River Road RV Resort the following morning, her 42-foot Forest River home was gone, washed away by the floods. She was heartbroken. 'I just lost stuff, not loved ones,' she said — but most objects in her home were associated with special 'memories' and she was sorry to see them go. That's where Dondi Persyn stepped in. Persyn, 54, posted a photo of some of Hyatt's jewelry on 'FOUND on the Guadalupe River,' a Facebook page she created that she runs with the help of friends. The jewelry had turned up in Center Point, roughly 10 miles from Kerrville. Persyn, who used to own a vintage store, spent a night untangling and cleaning Hyatt's necklaces and bracelets by hand, restoring some of their luster. It turned out that during the flash flooding, Hyatt's orange clamshell necklace and other pieces had been fortuitously held together by a pink string — a bracelet that a student had made for Hyatt more than a decade ago. In that, Hyatt saw rich symbolism. 'The children have always held me together,' Hyatt said. 'They're still holding me together.' The totem pole Ten years ago, Shelby Johnson bought something on a lark from a merchant in San Antonio: a hand-carved and painted totem pole. She named it 'Oonka Oonka.' The totem pole was a highlight of her annual spring break parties, and it stood proudly on the back porch of her boyfriend's house, located on a secluded stretch between Center Point and the town of Comfort. Flash-forward to the chaos of July Fourth: Johnson, 53, and her boyfriend, J.R. Haas, fled to higher ground in their trucks before the floods deluged his house. When they returned, they discovered most of their possessions were destroyed, the house reduced to a 'disgusting, muddy mess.' They found the remains of one of her three cats, a kitten named Fancy, and realized Johnson's Volkswagen Jetta had floated down the road. Apparently, so had Oonka Oonka. The totem pole was found off a riverbank in Comfort by Cory Nicholson, a 40-year-old volunteer searcher and roofing contractor who posted his discovery on the Facebook page. The wooden sculpture had emerged intact and mostly unscathed. 'It was in close to perfect condition,' Nicholson said. Oonka Oonka has been returned to Johnson, who sees her 10-year-old purchase in a different light. 'He's turned into a symbol of survival now,' she said. The camp sign Brandon Hamrick and his wife, Shanndel, volunteered to help search for bodies just a day after raging waters tore through the region. They were combing through a riverbed near their home in Center Point on July 5 when they found a 2-by-2-foot wooden sign in the shape of a heart. It was a remnant of Heart O' the Hills, a summer camp for girls in the flood-battered community of Hunt. Hamrick, 47, wiped mud off the face of the sign. The white paint was torn and chipped in some spots, but he could make out inscriptions from campers — including one apparently dated 1992. 'I could see the names of all these girls on there. I felt joyous, in a way, because I knew I could bring it back to them,' Hamrick said. He believed returning the sign to Heart O' the Hills could bring a small measure of solace to a community mourning the loss of Jane Ragsdale, the camp's co-owner and director, who died in the floods. (The camp was not in session during the disaster.) Brandon and Shanndel, who build custom pickup trucks for a living, found children's toys along the riverbed, too — a tiny doll with long blond hair, a 'Paw Patrol' stuffed animal. They gathered up as much as they could. The Hamricks plan to drive out to the camp to hand-deliver the sign to the surviving owners. The memorial bench Four years ago this month Patricia Jernigan's daughter Shannon died from breast cancer. She was 50. The two women lived together in Texas Hill Country. They enjoyed their lives in the area; Shannon was a material program manager for the supply chain at A7 Defense & Aerospace and in her spare time admired Kerr County's population of white-tailed deer. In honor of Shannon's life, Patricia installed a commemorative bench at Lehmann-Monroe Park, a 27-acre patch of land west of the Guadalupe River. The park was thrashed during the floods, and the bench was apparently swept away to nearby Louise Hays Park. That's where it was discovered by Orlando 'Orly' Ayala, a 38-year-old volunteer searcher. Ayala was digging through piles of debris when he spotted the bench at the base of a cypress tree on the night of July 10. 'I cleaned it off and I realized, 'Wow, this is really something,'' said Ayala. Patricia, 77, said she wants the bench to be reinstalled in Kerrville after the area is cleaned up. The plaque that had been affixed to the bench has gone missing, but she hopes it is found. That way, passersby and animal watchers can read the poem under Shannon's name — five rhyming lines Patricia wrote in her daughter's memory: When it comes to God's critters big or small she wanted to feed them one and all But when it came to deer, such gentle souls she loved to feed them with hands and bowls Forever we will love the heart of this baby girl. This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
NBC News
5 days ago
- General
- NBC News
The Texas floods washed away their possessions. Volunteers are helping reunite them.
From jewelry to a heart-shaped summer camp sign, these are some of the objects found in the wake of this month's devastating floods. July 19, 2025, 7:00 AM EDT By Daniel Arkin Matthew Rafferty was scouring the flooded riverbanks of Texas Hill Country last weekend when he stumbled on a mud-soaked baby quilt. Rafferty, a Virginia firefighter who was deployed to hard-hit Kerr County to help with search and recovery efforts, folded it up and took it back to his hotel. He rinsed it off in the bathtub. He worried the drain might clog because of all the filth, tree roots and rocks that came out. But the tub survived and, after a trip to the laundromat, the quilt was virtually good as new. He posted a photo of the blanket on a Facebook group where people across central Texas are keeping track of things they've recovered from the devastation: waterlogged clothes, stuffed animals, Barbie dolls, marriage licenses, family photo albums. Rafferty eventually connected with the quilt's owner and hand-delivered it to her. 'I'm a father of 3-year-old twin boys. I know if I'd gone through something like these quilts, I'd want it back,' said Rafferty, 34. Rafferty is part of a loose network of first responders, volunteers and good Samaritans who have fanned out across the region to help reunite Texans with the cherished belongings, family heirlooms and everyday household knickknacks that were swept away when floods ripped through Kerr County over Fourth of July weekend, killing more than 130 people and leaving at least 100 missing. This week, NBC News spoke with people in the region about the objects that have turned up in the floods' aftermath — and why they matter. In some cases, seemingly trivial items have taken on far greater emotional significance in the wake of the deadly floods. These are some of their stories. The jewelry Patty Hyatt was inside her mobile home with her 8-year-old grandson and her new beagle puppy early July 4 when her son called. The floodwaters were rising fast and they needed to get to higher ground as soon as possible, he told her. Hyatt, a 67-year-old retired teacher, loaded everyone into her Toyota Tacoma and headed to her son's house, leaving most of her things behind. When she returned to the Old River Road RV Resort the following morning, her 42-foot Forest River home was gone, washed away by the floods. She was heartbroken. 'I just lost stuff, not loved ones,' she said — but most objects in her home were associated with special 'memories' and she was sorry to see them go. That's where Dondi Persyn stepped in. Persyn, 54, posted a photo of some of Hyatt's jewelry on 'FOUND on the Guadalupe River,' a Facebook page she created that she runs with the help of friends. The jewelry had turned up in Center Point, roughly 10 miles from Kerrville. Persyn, who used to own a vintage store, spent a night untangling and cleaning Hyatt's necklaces and bracelets by hand, restoring some of their luster. It turned out that during the flash flooding, Hyatt's orange clamshell necklace and other pieces had been fortuitously held together by a pink string — a bracelet that a student had made for Hyatt more than a decade ago. In that, Hyatt saw rich symbolism. 'The children have always held me together,' Hyatt said. 'They're still holding me together.' The totem pole Ten years ago, Shelby Johnson bought something on a lark from a merchant in San Antonio: a hand-carved and painted totem pole. She named it 'Oonka Oonka.' The totem pole was a highlight of her annual spring break parties, and it stood proudly on the back porch of her boyfriend's house, located on a secluded stretch between Center Point and the town of Comfort. Flash-forward to the chaos of July Fourth: Johnson, 53, and her boyfriend, J.R. Haas, fled to higher ground in their trucks before the floods deluged his house. When they returned, they discovered most of their possessions were destroyed, the house reduced to a 'disgusting, muddy mess.' They found the remains of one of her three cats, a kitten named Fancy, and realized Johnson's Volkswagen Jetta had floated down the road. Apparently, so had Oonka Oonka. The totem pole was found off a riverbank in Comfort by Cory Nicholson, a 40-year-old volunteer searcher and roofing contractor who posted his discovery on the Facebook page. The wooden sculpture had emerged intact and mostly unscathed. 'It was in close to perfect condition,' Nicholson said. Oonka Oonka has been returned to Johnson, who sees her 10-year-old purchase in a different light. 'He's turned into a symbol of survival now,' she said. The camp sign Brandon Hamrick and his wife, Shanndel, volunteered to help search for bodies just a day after raging waters tore through the region. They were combing through a riverbed near their home in Center Point on July 5 when they found a 2-by-2-foot wooden sign in the shape of a heart. It was a remnant of Heart O' the Hills, a summer camp for girls in the flood-battered community of Hunt. Hamrick, 47, wiped mud off the face of the sign. The white paint was torn and chipped in some spots, but he could make out inscriptions from campers — including one apparently dated 1992. 'I could see the names of all these girls on there. I felt joyous, in a way, because I knew I could bring it back to them,' Hamrick said. He believed returning the sign to Heart O' the Hills could bring a small measure of solace to a community mourning the loss of Jane Ragsdale, the camp's co-owner and director, who died in the floods. (The camp was not in session during the disaster.) Brandon and Shanndel, who build custom pickup trucks for a living, found children's toys along the riverbed, too — a tiny doll with long blond hair, a 'Paw Patrol' stuffed animal. They gathered up as much as they could. The Hamricks plan to drive out to the camp to hand-deliver the sign to the surviving owners. The memorial bench Four years ago this month Patricia Jernigan's daughter Shannon died from breast cancer. She was 50. The two women lived together in Texas Hill Country. They enjoyed their lives in the area; Shannon was a material program manager for the supply chain at A7 Defense & Aerospace and in her spare time admired Kerr County's population of white-tailed deer. In honor of Shannon's life, Patricia installed a commemorative bench at Lehmann-Monroe Park, a 27-acre patch of land west of the Guadalupe River. The park was thrashed during the floods, and the bench was apparently swept away to nearby Louise Hays Park. That's where it was discovered by Orlando 'Orly' Ayala, a 38-year-old volunteer searcher. Ayala was digging through piles of debris when he spotted the bench at the base of a cypress tree on the night of July 10. 'I cleaned it off and I realized, 'Wow, this is really something,'' said Ayala. Patricia, 77, said she wants the bench to be reinstalled in Kerrville after the area is cleaned up. The plaque that had been affixed to the bench has gone missing, but she hopes it is found. That way, passersby and animal watchers can read the poem under Shannon's name — five rhyming lines Patricia wrote in her daughter's memory: When it comes to God's critters big or small she wanted to feed them one and all But when it came to deer, such gentle souls she loved to feed them with hands and bowls Forever we will love the heart of this baby girl. Daniel Arkin Daniel Arkin is a national reporter at NBC News.
Car and Driver
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Chevrolet Colorado Review, Pricing, and Specs
Specs See all specs EPA MPG 17–20 Combined Seating 5 Seats Powertrain Gas Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive Limited Warranty 3 Years/36,000 Miles Overview Available exclusively in crew-cab form with a five-foot bed and a 310-hp turbo four, the 2026 Chevy Colorado isn't as endlessly configurable as its full-size Silverado brother, but the trim-level lineup is still broad and varied. Shoppers can get everything from a true workhorse with rear-wheel drive and a class-leading 7700-pound tow rating to a go-anywhere, do-anything off-roader with hydraulic bump stops and over a foot of ground clearance. The modernized yet classically styled interior is bound to impress, and it's comfortable for long-distance highway travel as well as weekend romps through the backcountry. The Colorado's medium-sized body also makes it easier to park in tight spaces and more wieldy in urban driving scenarios than the larger Silverado. Expert Tip: Like the Colorado, the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma have received some development dollars in the past few years and used them to great effect. All three mid-sizers are worth a look. What's New for 2026? For 2026, Chevy revises the Colorado's wheel and paint offerings slightly. Otherwise, the pickup truck carries over to the new year unchanged. Pricing and Which One to Buy We're fans of the Trail Boss, as it delivers almost as much mud-flinging fun as the high-riding ZR2 but for less. It comes with 32-inch all-terrain tires and fender flares that make it look tough, and it offers more suspension travel than lesser trims. You won't get the ZR2's sweet Multimatic spool-valve dampers and lockable front and rear differentials, but there's a limited-slip diff in back. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Engine: 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder Transmission: 8-speed automatic 8-speed automatic Drivetrains: rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive With its 310-hp turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder, the Colorado is more powerful than many rivals, including the Jeep Gladiator, the Honda Ridgeline, and the nonhybrid Toyota Tacoma. Several trims come standard with four-wheel drive, though that driveline costs extra on the entry-level Work Truck and step-up LT. The ZR2 has upgraded Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers up front, with the rear units now mounted to the outside of the frame. Work Truck and LT models use an open rear differential, while the Trail Boss and Z71 get a limited-slip setup. Only the off-road-optimized ZR2 comes with power-locking front and rear diffs. The ZR2 Bison is the toughest off-road Colorado, with 12.2 inches of ground clearance and better break-over and departure angles than other trims. It also rides on mondo 35-inch tires—the largest in the mid-size pickup segment—and has hydraulic front and rear bump stops to soften the landing from jumps. 0–60-MPH Times C/D 60-mph Test: 6.8 seconds (ZR2) In Comparison: The last Colorado ZR2 we tested raced to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds at 88 mph. Those times are nearly identical to those produced by the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. View Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Towing and Payload Capacity The Colorado offers the highest towing capacity in the mid-size pickup segment, with a max rating of 7700 pounds. However, the ZR2 can't tow as much: Its limit is 6000 pounds. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG EPA City Ratings : 16-19 mpg 16-19 mpg EPA Highway Ratings: 16-23 mpg The EPA hasn't released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado yet, but the ratings shouldn't change. The 2025 rear-wheel-drive model earns estimates of 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Those with four-wheel drive see, at best, 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The ZR2 gets 17 mpg across the board, while the ZR2 Bison returns straight 16s. When we have the chance to test a Colorado on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route—part of our extensive testing regimen—we will update this report with the result. For more information about the Colorado's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo First Row: The Colorado's interior is functional, contemporary, and less busy than competitors' cabins. The driver's seat is comfortable, too, offering good support and firm cushions. Second Row: The Colorado has one of the most livable back seats in the class, but it's still a tight fit for tall individuals. Cargo Capacity: Taking a page from the Ridgeline's book, the Colorado offers a shallow lockable storage box in the tailgate. View Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Infotainment and Connectivity Infotainment: 11.3-inch touchscreen 11.3-inch touchscreen Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Audio Systems: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 7-speaker Bose stereo (optional) In front of the driver sits an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, while an 11.3-inch touchscreen tops the center stack. The latter has Google Built-In tech and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Colorado receives a decent amount of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, front and rear automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The backup camera also has a handy hitch view, so you can line up the hitch with a trailer by yourself. Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system For information about the Colorado's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Chevrolet provides competitive limited and powertrain warranties for the Colorado and covers the first service visit. Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: one visit C/D Test Results and Specs We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it. Specifications Specifications 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup PRICE Base/As Tested: $48,295/$53,280 Options: Technology package (adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, surround-view cameras), $950; ZR2 Convenience package (perforated and ventilated leather front seats, driver's-seat memory settings, heated steering wheel, wireless charging, rear center armrest), $1490; power sliding-glass sunroof, $1000; Bose 7-speaker stereo system, $500; underbody cameras, $500; removable assist step, $495; yellow seatbelts, $50 ENGINE Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 166 in3, 2727 cm3 Power: 310 hp @ 5600 rpm Torque: 430 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: control arms/rigid axle Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/13.3-in vented disc Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT 285/70R-17 116/113Q TPC Spec 2808 POR DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 131.4 in Length: 212.7 in Width: 76.3 in Height: 73.8 in Curb Weight: 4926 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 7.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 88 mph 100 mph: 23.3 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.3 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 100 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 187 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.73 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 16 mpg EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 16/16/16 mpg C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
News18
7 days ago
- News18
Man Tries To Abduct Florida Woman In Broad Daylight, Then Suddenly Flees
Last Updated: The man was arrested and charged with kidnapping, robbery, and grand theft auto. A terrifying incident caught on camera in Florida has left many shocked, as disturbing footage shows a man attempting to drag a woman towards his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The suspect, later identified as Theodore Michael Tundidor, is seen forcibly pulling the woman in broad daylight. According to the surveillance video, released by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the incident took place at around 3:30 pm local time on June 29 outside a retail store. The woman, who has not been identified, can be seen screaming for help as her would-be kidnapper tries to abduct her. After struggling for some time, the woman receives help from a bystander who calls 911 for police intervention. However, as soon as the suspect realises that he could be arrested for the incident, he flees the scene within moments. The Post states that the man was arrested and charged with kidnapping, robbery, and grand theft auto. He allegedly attempted to commit a robbery at the St Augustine retail store, before forcing a female employee outside and dragging her towards his pickup truck. The woman did not give up and continued crying and shouting in the hope of getting assistance from passers-by. As per police, 'The victim in this situation did everything right — scream/yell, fight, attract attention." Realising the consequences of the 911 call, the suspect managed to flee the scene before the St. Johns County Sheriff's team arrived. However, his pickup truck was spotted by officers while he was driving recklessly on Route A1A. The Florida Fish and Wildlife officers took Theodore into custody in the case. However, it was not easy, and the sheriff's office recalled arresting him after a high-speed chase. The Florida Fish and Wildlife added additional charges against Theodore, claiming that he attempted to evade law enforcement and was driving under the influence. Further details on the investigation are still awaited. The woman has been praised for her quick thinking and response during the attempted kidnapping. Authorities commended her for acting swiftly and attracting the attention of a bystander who ultimately helped her. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
