Two tourists abducted, robbed after leaving Downtown Disney

[shoppingnut]

Pleasure Island annual pass costs only $52, ($1 a week!) so I doubt there are cheaper clubs in Orlando for the "ghetto crowd"

Yes, but the PI crowd provides an opportunity for the criminal element to have a rich pickens.

 

[mkt]

well, this incident has made CNN headline news

 

[Fantasia freak]

about security at DTD. the OC sherriffs have an office next to us bus drivers. They are always there, because if we call for security to come to our bus during the night, it's a sherriff's deputy, not disney security. As for cast members going to their cars, their is security in a car watching the lot. as for rules about under 18 at PI. AFter 7 pm, no one under 18 at PI unless with a parent. i have never felt unsafe there, because i know where all the security is. but then again, maybe the criminals know better than to mess with the cast members.

 

[1disneydood]

It's bad, and it's getting worse all over. I live one block outside of New Orleans and KNOW about crime. Almost every night I hear noises outside that force me to "patrol" my property with Baretta .380 in hand. I've had my house burglarized, garage burgularized, holiday decorations stolen, and I've even had my house "pooped on". Oh, and my son, who's well being I put before any other earthly thing, was robbed while riding his bike 3 blocks away from home at 10 years old.
And just think, a few years ago I wanted to move away from here to Orlando.

:shrug: What should people do when the forces in place to protect us work, but don't wrok well enough:shrug:

 

[FaerieLuna]

Ok, so heres some world of mouth. My business partner is drinking buddies with a station manager of the local ABC affiliate, WTNH/Newschannel8. The town they live in is about 10 minutes from me, so its getting decent coverage here.

The two victims were actually from North Branford, not Branford, but close enough.

What the station was told was that the victims were trying to ... purchase some 'goods' from the kidnappers, and it went wrong from there. The rest of the story is true enough, but the victims were not completely without fault. It wasn't a random occurrence.

I don't know if that's the truth or not, but those were my first thoughts - a bad drug deal. There are enough questions raised by some of the behavior, i.e. why they kept them for as long as they did etc, to seem as if some of the details were omitted from the story. They are INDEED lucky to be alive. Never ever ever ever in a million years go to the SECOND crime scene. That's where victims are most often killed.

I myself have never felt unsafe at DTD even late at night alone (and I'm female.) There are always seems to be people around, be it bus drivers, taxi drivers, security that it's hard to imagine no one seeing people being abducted by gunpoint. As mentioned by other posters, always be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are. I'm glad they are okay.

 

[WhyteAL]

First, hHow dare you accusing me of racism!!!!!!

Second, it's "you are being", "your" is a possessive pronoun not a verb, look it up.

"ghetto crowd" refers to that population of youngsters with a bad attitude and questionable sense of fashion (I really think that men wearing those sorts of "pants" so low to reveal their underwear, that's just plain tasteless), regardless of their race.

First off I would like to thank you for the English lesson, I was unaware this was an high school English forum. :wave: I quote it as racism because of your term "ghetto crowd" at the BET club...that is why I call it racist. "Ghetto" refers to an area were people of particular race, ethnicity, religious group are left to live in imporverious conditions. (ex. inner city kids black, white and latino, jewish ghettos of nazi poland in the 40's, little "italy" in NY, etc) So for you to assume that it is a "ghetto crowd" because you don't appreciate or simply don't like there form of fashion, music, or style then that is your personal prefrence and has nothing to do with you passing judgement on a group of individuals. Maybe you are correct to say racism is a strong word but I would definetly slot it as a prejudice. And baggy pants has been a style of dress since about the mid 80's. There is a slight misconception that it is a style that originated from jail and that it slighty true, to a cetain extent, but not entirely. But this is not a forum for that type of info. But email or PM me if you wish to get some info on that. :wave:

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

The updated story seems to shoot down the "drug deal gone bad" story. Hope everyone is doing OK.

 

[WhyteAL]

I don't know if that's the truth or not, but those were my first thoughts - a bad drug deal. There are enough questions raised by some of the behavior, i.e. why they kept them for as long as they did etc, to seem as if some of the details were omitted from the story. They are INDEED lucky to be alive. Never ever ever ever in a million years go to the SECOND crime scene. That's where victims are most often killed.

That was actually my first thought....orlando is a BIG drug spot because of all the people coming in and out of the city daily.

 

[dixiegirl]

I think yes though its WALT DISNEY WORLD we still need to be quite watchful just as you would any where else..To say that I felt safe walking to the ice machine at nite around say POR yes I felt very safe..Because naively(If that's a word) it is disney....somehow I always feel safer there.....But As times change like anything else we need to be more on guard and yes even a little paranoid (at times)... And there wil be those people as I was talking to today about going back to the world after the abduction. Will that keep me from going back ..There are killings, rape, robbery in almost every town, some more than others ,what are you gonna do stay in your house in a bubble?? Nope not us, just like some people not flying because of 9/11 , yes its horrible what happened and what is still happening but life goes on ..I really don't like flying but if it gets me to my "happy place" quicker I'll do it... The world we live in today is quite different then it was 10, 15 even 20 yrs ago...Crime happens everywhere....Disney is not an exception....Although it would be nice...And beacuse it is something that happened at disney or is affiliated with it, it is brought to attention more....
Sorry to rant ....I'm done...
Have a magical Day , because you can!!!!!

 

[Champion]

The updated story seems to shoot down the "drug deal gone bad" story. Hope everyone is doing OK.

Where exactly do you see that?

 

[ItstheM]

That is so scary. Me and my aunt were at DTD just the night before eating at Planet Hollywood after midnight. I can remember seeing some security, but that was only in front of stores and restaurants and not in the parking lots where this incident prob happend.
Side note: We did feel kind of uncomfortable walking around down there late at night. The atmosphere was very unDisney and very rowdy.

 

[fillerup]

Well the problem is that local law enforcement is too busy seating in front of their computers trolling Craigslist for online prostitution.

That's a brilliant point actually.

Not to mention sending undercover men to strip clubs to bust dancers for being too close to patrons.

And looking for cockfights, illegal card games, potheads, and all the other victimless crimes. (Excepting the roosters, of course.)

 

[Wilt Dasney]

And looking for cockfights, illegal card games, potheads, and all the other victimless crimes.

One of these things is not like the others...one of these things just doesn't belong... :lookaroun :lol:

 

[EthylCooper]

I've walked all over the place there alone at night. I've stayed at the Hotel Plaza Blvd hotels a good bit and walked back after the Adventurer's Club closed a bunch of times. I think the reason this is such big news is that it doesn't ever happen. The only place I've ever felt safer walking around alone at night was Okinawa.

I have noticed things seem rowdier now that the Pleasure Island gates are gone. I really wish they hadn't changed that.

But I'll probably still walk around alone at night when I go back, same as always. Watching my surroundings, just like always.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Where exactly do you see that?

What you've stated seems to be panning out.... You've got good sources.

WFTV is running with this story.

Connecticut Police Skeptical Of Couple's Abduction Story

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Connecticut police told Eyewitness News they are skeptical of the story from two people who said they were abducted from Downtown Disney.

A detective from the North Branford Police Department called Eyewitness News and said he doesn't think the victims' story is 100 percent true, because the man involved is well-known to them as a drug addict. Still, deputies and Disney said they are taking the claim very seriously.
Disney said it will re-evaluate its security plan after two tourists from Connecticut said they were abducted from Downtown Disney.

The theme park has an army of security guards and off duty sheriff's deputies who the keep the grounds safe. Still, 20-year-olds Justin Stetzer and Jessica Dellacamera, of Branford, Connecticut, said they were forced into a car very early Sunday morning, beaten, robbed and then left at an Osceola County landfill.

The couple said they walked to a nearby home and begged for help. The homeowner didn't want to be identified, but explained what happened next.
"He was bloody. He had blood on his face, blood on his chest, and she was like, 'Please, please, can we come in? Can we use the phone?'" said the woman who did not want to be identified. "I didn't open the door because I was scared, but I told them I'd call police."

Stetzer and Dellacamera said they were forced to go to at least two ATMs and withdraw money. Deputies were looking to see if there is surveillance video of the attackers.
Many tourists said news that it could happen, even at Downtown Disney, was unsettling.
"Yeah, that bothers me," said Ohio tourist Jerry Pater.
"If it can happen there, it can pretty much happen anywhere," said Tampa tourist Jay Polizzi.
Orange County deputies said a crime in the Downtown Disney area is extremely rare. In fact, Disney is one of the most-heavily policed areas of the country.
Disney officials said they are concerned about the story and will work with deputies to prevent any future attacks.

After the story was on WFTV.com, websites nationwide reported the abductions. Orlando's Convention and Visitor's Bureau said it has not received any calls from concerned visitors or from media outside the area.

 

[IROC it]

Bet it was...

...Stinky Pete!.


At least his voice actor might have once owned a Jetta!

I can see it now... jealous of their purchase of new toys, he tries to bury them in a landfill.






Seriously though, it's sad that there are predators taking away from the magic around there... but I'd imagine there is more of this unreported than we here about... maybe not as intense, but I'm sure some petty theft happens every day out there.

 

[unkadug]

Stetzer and Dellacamera said they were forced to go to at least two ATMs and withdraw money. Deputies were looking to see if there is surveillance video of the attackers.
Many tourists said news that it could happen, even at Downtown Disney, was unsettling.
"Yeah, that bothers me," said Ohio tourist Jerry Pater.
"If it can happen there, it can pretty much happen anywhere," said Tampa tourist Jay Polizzi.
Orange County deputies said a crime in the Downtown Disney area is extremely rare. In fact, Disney is one of the most-heavily policed areas of the country.
Disney officials said they are concerned about the story and will work with deputies to prevent any future attacks.

Isn't that Bass-Ackwards:

Shouldn't it be: If it can happen anywhere it can happen there.
:shrug:

 

[FaerieLuna]

What you've stated seems to be panning out.... You've got good sources.

WFTV is running with this story.

Interesting. You do have good sources Champion. I certainly hope all outlets reporting this story reflect that information so as to calm the public a bit. Go looking for the criminal element, you are going to find it.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Interesting. You do have good sources Champion. I certainly hope all outlets reporting this story reflect that information so as to calm the public a bit. Go looking for the criminal element, you are going to find it.

Amazing that???? :lookaroun :lookaroun Belle

 

[PhotoDave219]

Another source....

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...jun11,0,6832150.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
Investigators compare notes in abduction from Downtown Disney lot

The 20-year-olds, who are visiting from Connecticut, were not seriously injured.

Etan Horowitz
Sentinel Staff Writer

June 11, 2007

Sheriff's investigators from Orange and Osceola counties this afternoon continue to compare notes in the abduction and robbery of two Connecticut tourists.

Jim Solomons, an Orange County sheriff's spokesman, said there is no information as to the suspects' identities, but the two law-enforcement agencies are working together.

"We are scouring for leads," Solomons said.

Justin Stetzer and Jessica DellaCamera, both 20, were finishing up the first day of their Walt Disney World vacation just after midnight Sunday when a man in a black car called out to them.

Thinking they were just answering an innocuous question, the couple walked over to the car in the Downtown Disney parking lot. That is when their vacation turned violent.

At gunpoint, the two were forced inside the Volkswagen Jetta, driven around and then Stetzer was ordered to withdraw money from an automated-teller machine.

After about an hour, the three suspects took Stetzer and DellaCamera to a remote location near an Osceola County landfill, forced them out of the car and beat them.

The couple fought back and the gun discharged during the scuffle, scaring the suspects, who panicked and fled.

"They just thought they were at the end of the road," Solomons said of the victims.

Stetzer and DellaCamera, both of North Branford, Conn., walked to a nearby Kissimmee home and called the Osceola County sheriff's office. They suffered cuts and bruises but were not seriously injured.

Sunday's incident is the latest in several recent attacks in the tourist area.

On May 30, two Orange County deputies were shot when they interrupted a car burglary in progress at the Caribe Royale Resort on World Center Drive.

On May 14, two armed robbers attacked a German couple staying at a Howard Johnson's motel on International Drive. The robbers forced the man onto the floor and threw a blanket over his head. One of them raped the woman and beat her face and head with a weapon after ordering her to empty the room safe.

That same night, a man staying in an extended-stay hotel on Major Boulevard near Universal Orlando, was robbed by two men who matched the description of the Howard Johnson attackers.

Police are still searching for the suspects in Sunday's attack.

The men left with both the cash and the purchases the couple left behind. Solomons would not disclose the value of the money and items that were stolen.

Stetzer and DellaCamera arrived in Central Florida on Saturday and were traveling with DellaCamera's parents. They were finishing a shopping trip at Downtown Disney when the incident occurred.

Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez would not say which resort the pair was staying at or how much longer they would remain in Florida. She said Disney officials were working with the two "to take care of their immediate needs."

Shoppers at Downtown Disney on Sunday afternoon were not surprised to hear about the abduction.

"Nowadays, I think it could happen anywhere," said Kathy Gallardo of Tampa, standing outside Planet Hollywood.

Pedro Ruz Gutierrez, Erika Hobbs and Henry Pierson Curtis of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Etan Horowitz can be reached at ehorowitz@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5447.