WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A digital long-distance relationship that began on Instagram ended in a multi-state police intervention after a Pennsylvania man allegedly threatened to travel to Florida to kill a woman he had been dating online.
On Friday, April 27, 2026, Winter Haven Police took a report from a victim who claimed 29-year-old Hector Manuel Cruz had turned a month-long romance into a campaign of harassment and violent intimidation.
The victim explained to officers that the pair initially bonded over messages about their daily lives and work. The relationship eventually became intimate, with the victim sending nude photos to Cruz via text.
However, the tone shifted when Cruz began accusing the woman of cheating whenever she was slow to respond to his messages. According to police, Cruz told the victim, “I hate cheaters and if you cheat on me, I’ll shoot you.”
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The situation escalated when Cruz allegedly targeted the victim’s workplace. Police report that Cruz contacted the victim’s female supervisor, sending her the private images the victim had shared with him.
After the victim ended the relationship, Cruz reportedly continued to stalk her through various phone numbers and social media accounts, claiming he was heading to Florida to kill her and harm her supervisor’s husband.
Following an investigation that spanned multiple states, Winter Haven Detectives located Cruz in Girard, Pennsylvania.
He was taken into custody by the Girard Borough Police Department and is currently facing charges of Written Threats to Kill, Misuse of a 2-Way Communication Device, Sexual Cyber Harassment, and Harassing Phone Calls. Cruz is also wanted on a warrant out of Connecticut for similar threats and has a prior criminal history including assault and robbery.
“I am confident that the determination of our detective to track this suspect down and get him behind bars has prevented another victim being harassed or even worse,” said Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe. “His behavior was quickly escalating and he could have had the opportunity to follow through on his threats.”
Cruz is expected to be extradited to Florida in the coming days. The Winter Haven Police Department believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone who has had negative interactions with Cruz to contact them at 863-401-2256.
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