A heated argument between a Miami couple ended in a felony arrest this week after 24-year-old Travis D. Tillman Jr. allegedly forced his girlfriend into the trunk of her own vehicle and drove away.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Miami-Dade Police Department, the dispute escalated when Tillman “grabbed the victim by the arm, placed her in the trunk of her vehicle, and secured it.”
Tillman then reportedly got behind the wheel and drove the car to an apartment complex.
The situation turned violent again once the vehicle stopped. When Tillman opened the trunk, the woman attempted to escape, but police say Tillman responded by punching her repeatedly in the face and body. The assault allegedly continued even after she managed to climb out of the trunk and onto the pavement.
Despite the altercation, the woman eventually got back into the car with Tillman and drove away from the complex.
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However, they didn’t realize a security guard had watched the entire incident unfold. The guard immediately contacted local authorities and provided investigators with surveillance footage that captured the alleged kidnapping and battery.
Officers located the vehicle shortly after and conducted a traffic stop, taking Tillman into custody. During questioning, Tillman offered a different version of events. He told police that the woman chose to climb into the trunk herself.
“He advised that the victim stated that she did not want to be around him, at which point she stated she would rather be inside the trunk and not in his vicinity,” the arresting officers noted in their report.
The victim declined medical treatment at the scene and did not sustain any life-threatening injuries. Tillman is currently being held without bond on charges of kidnapping and battery.
Tillman is scheduled to appear in court again on May 6.
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