‘I’m going to burn the tattoo off’: Man kidnapped from Margaritaville and tortured with blowtorch, faked seizure to get away, feds say – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Hollywood, Florida – What began as an invitation to smoke marijuana at a waterfront resort quickly escalated into a violent kidnapping that spanned two days and left one victim with serious injuries. Federal authorities say six young men carried out the abduction from the Margaritaville resort parking garage on May 26, using guns, threats, and a blowtorch in an apparent effort to extract money. The victim ultimately survived by pretending to suffer a seizure, a ruse that prompted his captors to abandon him on the roadside.
The Setup at the Resort
The incident unfolded in the parking structure of the Margaritaville resort in Hollywood. A witness told investigators that 19-year-old Saul Fajardo lured the victim there under the pretense of sharing marijuana. The pair, along with the witness, walked to Fajardo’s car on the fourth floor.
Another vehicle soon pulled alongside. Four masked men armed with guns emerged, according to the victim’s account to federal agents. He recognized three of them as Justin Phihoang Le, Amari Hill, and Marikevies McNichols. Hill allegedly slammed the victim onto the hood of Fajardo’s car before pistol-whipping him and forcing him back inside.
Threats and a Forced Ride
Le reportedly warned the victim that any attempt to escape would result in death. The group also threatened to kill the victim’s family. Fajardo drove the car out of the lot while Le and Hill remained in the back seat; the other suspects followed in a second vehicle. The drive lasted roughly 25 to 30 minutes…