WESTON, Fla. — A Florida man was arrested Sunday after abducting and assaulting a clinic worker in a hospital parking lot as she was on her way in to work, investigators said.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office said Joel Cossio was taken into custody Sunday morning without incident in Charlotte County, WTVJ reported.
Investigators said Cossio attacked the woman around 7:20 a.m. Saturday as she arrived to work at the Cleveland Clinic, WPLG reported. Cossio ran over, grabbed her and then threw her back into her car. He drove off then sexually assaulted her at another location before he left her at a Target parking lot and fled in her car, officials said. She ran into the store and called for help.
Cossio was taken into custody Sunday morning without incident, WPLG reported. He remains in jail in Charlotte County awaiting a judge’s order to move him to Broward County, where he will face charges.
“We are deeply troubled and saddened by the incident involving an employee in a parking lot on our Weston Hospital campus, which occurred this morning. Our thoughts are with our employee and their family,” Cleveland Clinic said in a statement, WTVJ reported. “We are committed to the safety and security of all patients, visitors and employees. We are working closely with local law enforcement on their investigation. Out of respect for our employee, we will not be releasing additional information at this time.”
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY - Deputies have a suspect in custody after a healthcare worker at the Cleveland Clinic was physically assaulted and kidnapped while getting out of her car Saturday morning to begin her shift, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office. https://t.co/tBA9KHyHcN
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) January 10, 2021
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