Friend: Abduction, robbery victim 'terrified'

Jacksonville police say organized robbers held daughter of check cashing manager captive, forced her to open store, safe

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two days after a mother was abducted and her 3-year-old daughter held hostage in a bold plot to steal cash from a check cashing loan store, police are still looking for the men who pulled it off.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's said two or three men had been watching their 22-year-old victim who worked at Ace Cash Express cashing business. Police say they knew her daily routine, that each day took her 14 miles from her apartment in Argyle Forest the store in a strip mall on McDuff Avenue.

Early Saturday morning, the robbers entered the victim's apartment, duct taped her 3-year-old child and forced the mother at gunpoint to the storefront so they could steal the cash in the safe.

A friend of the victim said she is still terrified, so scared she's not doing everyday things like taking a shower or even eating.

"It is scary and I understand," said Carlicia Brown, a customer of the business. "As a woman, coming back to your home -- that's where you feel safe. She wasn't safe at all, apparently, because someone been watching her."

Brown said she can't even imagine the fear the mother is living in. She was forced to take the gunmen to the safe while her daughter was being held back at in her apartment. According to police, the suspects threatened the mother they would kill them both if she didn't cooperate.

"I would be terrified for the rest of my life," Brown said. "She has to go through life now looking over her shoulder everyday."

Jacksonville police said significant planning went into this crime, which may have been orchestrated by up three people. It's unclear just how long the men had been following the victim and plotting the kidnapping.

The victim was a manager with the business with an good history with the company. 

Shawn, who works in the same strip mall as the check-cashing store, said the robbery has affected all the businesses in this strip mall, and serves as a wake-up call for woman, to be careful about how much personal information they share. . 

"That's the only thing I can think of -- of somebody coming in and duct taping your kids," Shawn said. "You've got to be aware of your surroundings."



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Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.