Surveillance video shows attempted abduction of 74-year-old woman outside Florida church

Anchor/Reporter

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

Surveillance video captured the moment Jose Zamora allegedly attempted to abduct his 74-year-old ex-girlfriend at gunpoint outside a church in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Sunday morning.

Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemzyck said Zamora approached the victim at the First United Methodist Church, claiming he wanted to talk to her, and then tried to force her into his car at gunpoint. Witnesses stepped in to intervene and helped to prevent the potential abduction, according to authorities.

The victim reported feeling pain but did not have visible marks or bruises.

“Several witnesses witnessed what was going on and intervened. The courage that they displayed helped disarm a very dangerous, escalating situation. Suspect did remove a firearm and placed it at the victim’s side and tried to force her into the vehicle,” Niemzyck said.

Police said Zamora fled to Hialeah, Florida, after the incident.

Authorities said Zamora and the victim had lived together in Hollywood before moving to Fort Pierce. By December, the victim reportedly wanted Zamora out of the house due to his aggressive behavior.

“They had a prior romantic relationship, which had ended, and it ended allegedly to some infidelities. But he has a significant violent criminal history to include past attempted kidnapping,” Niemzyck said.

In March, the victim obtained a protective injunction against Zamora after he was arrested for a weapons violation.

“He’s got a dangerous past. So, the family of his believed that he was a danger to himself as well as her,” Niemzyck said.

Investigators tracked Zamora using license plate readers. He is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail on a $750,000 bond.