The man accused of a violent attempted kidnapping outside a St. Augustine vape shop — a case that drew national attention — has been ruled incompetent to stand trial and was ordered into involuntary commitment for treatment.
According to court records filed last month, Judge R. Lee Smith found 31-year-old Theodore Michael Tundidor mentally unfit to proceed after reviewing a psychological evaluation and stipulations from both the prosecution and defense.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Roger Davis found that Tundidor suffers from mental illness that prevents him from understanding his case or assisting his attorney.
The court concluded that Tundidor also poses a danger to himself or others without treatment and can’t survivie independently.
Smith found that less restrictive treatment was inappropriate and that Tundidor’s condition could potentially improve with treatment.
The court ordered Tundidor committed to the Florida Department of Children and Families for placement in a mental health treatment facility.
The criminal proceedings against him are temporarily suspended while he undergoes treatment. DCF is required to provide a status report within six months of admission.
On June 29, authorities say Tundidor attempted to kidnap Emma Marine, then 18, from a vape shop along State Road 206 East in broad daylight.
Surveillance video Tundidor entering the store, committing a robbery, and forcibly dragging the victim into the parking lot and trying to stuff her into his stolen truck.
Marine drew praise for resisting and screaming. She drew the attention of bystander who intervened, and prompted Tundidor to flee.
He was later apprehended after a brief pursuit along A1A near Marineland.
At the time, Tundidor was already on probation stemming from a 2024 Broward County case in which he caused an estimated $38,000 in damage to his mother’s home during a drunken outburst involving a hammer.
Court officials emphasized that Tundidor cannot be released from state custody without further court approval.
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