Crime & Safety
Clearwater Man Charged With Attempted Kidnapping
Clearwater Police allege that the 42-year-old man tried to drag the victim away, as she sat outside her hotel room.
A 42-year-old Clearwater man has been arrested in connection to the attempted kidnapping of a woman Tuesday, according to Clearwater Police.
Joshua Hockaday of Elizabeth Avenue faces charges of attempted kidnapping and violation of probation.
Police accuse Hockaday of trying to abduct a 50-year-old woman who was staying at the Clarion Hotel at 20967 U.S. 19 North. The victim is visiting from Illinois.
According to police, Hockaday had a brief conversation with the victim on Monday night outside her hotel room.
About two hours later, she was sitting outside her room when he returned, placed his hand over her mouth and tried to drag her away, according to police.
The sounds of her screams alerted her son, who was inside the hotel room. The
son ran outside and the suspect fled, police said.
Detectives were able to obtain videotape from the hotel, which showed the suspect's image. Those photos were circulated Tuesday, and Hockaday was identified. The victim then identified Hockaday from a photo pack.
He was taken into custody about 10 p.m. Tuesday at his residence without
incident.
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