The man arrested for a violent, caught-on-camera attempted kidnapping outside a St. Augustine vape shop last month was on probation at the time — for causing $38,000 in damage with a hammer during a drunken outburst at his mother’s home in Broward County, records show.
The suspect, 31-year-old Theodore Michael Tundidor, had been sentenced to 12 months probation earlier this year after police say he destroyed multiple rooms of his mother’s Plantation home in November.
Officers responding to that incident walked in on vast destruction, including smashed electronics, broken glass, ripped paintings, and a pulverized toilet.
According to the police report, Tundidor’s mother told officers that he had been drinking heavily and became enraged when she refused to give him money for more alcohol.
He then grabbed a hammer and began destroying items inside the house.
Officers eventually found Tundidor hiding inside a closet, swinging the hammer at his mother’s belongings. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with criminal mischief, a third-degree felony. His mother pressed charges, and the total damage was later estimated at $38,000.
Tundidor was released on probation earlier this year and at some point traveled to St. Johns County.
On June 29, that Tundidor allegedly attempted to kidnap a woman in broad daylight from the vape shop where she worked.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to reports of a disturbance at 1054 State Road 206 East around 3:30 p.m. Surveillance footage showed a man — later identified as Tundidor — entering the business, committing a robbery, and forcibly removing a female employee from the store.
Authorities say Tundidor dragged the woman into the parking lot and attempted to shove her into his vehicle.
The victim resisted, screaming and fighting back. Her actions caught the attention of a bystander, who intervened and called 911. The suspect fled the scene.
Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spotted Tundidor a short time later, driving recklessly on A1A near Marineland. A brief pursuit followed before he was taken into custody without further incident.
Tundidor now faces a long list of charges from both the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and FWC, including kidnapping, robbery, grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding, and driving under the influence.
