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Florida Man Accused of Driving Amazon Van With Worker Inside Arrested on Kidnapping, Grand Theft Charges

Deputies cite internal van video plus a captured license plate to support the Merritt Island arrest.

Overview

  • Authorities say the Feb. 25 encounter began on Cepheus Court when a resident confronted an Amazon driver over the van briefly blocking the roadway.
  • Investigators report surveillance from inside the van shows a man entering the driver’s seat, shifting into drive, and accelerating while the driver was in the cargo area.
  • Detectives say the abrupt movement caused the driver to brace, and a metal package rack struck his arm when the vehicle stopped.
  • Video evidence and a recorded license plate identified the suspect as 64-year-old Joseph Baldi, who lives on the same street, according to deputies.
  • Deputies stopped Baldi on March 9, say he acknowledged entering the van because it was blocking traffic, and arrested him on kidnapping and grand theft of a motor vehicle charges before booking him into the Brevard County Jail.