Topline: According to investigators, the suspect told deputies the woman said she “would rather be inside of the trunk and not in his vicinity.”
Published: April 17, 2026 4:30 pm ET
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Travis Tillman Jr. (via Miami-Dade Corrections)
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — A 24-year-old Miami-Dade man allegedly claimed his girlfriend wanted to be in a car trunk before he put her there and drove off, authorities said.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrested Travis Tillman Jr. after the incident, which authorities said began just before 1 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 7000 block of Northwest 177th Street in the county’s Palm Springs North area.
According to an arrest report cited by NBC 6 South Florida, Tillman and the victim, who are in a relationship and previously lived together, got into an argument over “personal matters” that escalated into violence. The couple does not share any children.
Investigators said Tillman grabbed the woman, forced her into the trunk of her vehicle, secured it, and drove away with her inside.
According to authorities, he later stopped the car and opened the trunk, at which point the woman tried to escape. Deputies said Tillman then struck her multiple times in the face and body near the trunk area and along the passenger side of the vehicle.
Surveillance video obtained by investigators appears to show the victim getting out of the trunk and being beaten, according to WPLG.
The pair later got back into the vehicle and drove off eastbound on Northwest 177th Street before deputies conducted a traffic stop at Northwest 179th Street and Northwest 68th Avenue, where Tillman was taken into custody, authorities said.
After being read his Miranda rights, Tillman told investigators the woman had struck him first, according to the report. He also claimed she said she did not want to be around him and “would rather be inside of the trunk and not in his vicinity.”
Investigators said Tillman admitted to placing her in the trunk, driving the vehicle with her inside, and striking her.
Despite the allegations, authorities said the victim did not have visible injuries and declined medical treatment from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Tillman is facing charges of kidnapping and battery and was being held without bond Wednesday morning at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to jail records.
Records also show Tillman was previously arrested in an unrelated case on charges including aggravated assault with a firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm or weapon, and resisting an officer without violence.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Florida Man Accused of Kidnapping Girlfriend Claims She Wanted to Be in Trunk
According to investigators, the suspect told deputies the woman said she “would rather be inside of the trunk and not in his vicinity.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 17, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Travis Tillman Jr. (via Miami-Dade Corrections)
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — A 24-year-old Miami-Dade man allegedly claimed his girlfriend wanted to be in a car trunk before he put her there and drove off, authorities said.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrested Travis Tillman Jr. after the incident, which authorities said began just before 1 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 7000 block of Northwest 177th Street in the county’s Palm Springs North area.
According to an arrest report cited by NBC 6 South Florida, Tillman and the victim, who are in a relationship and previously lived together, got into an argument over “personal matters” that escalated into violence. The couple does not share any children.
Investigators said Tillman grabbed the woman, forced her into the trunk of her vehicle, secured it, and drove away with her inside.
According to authorities, he later stopped the car and opened the trunk, at which point the woman tried to escape. Deputies said Tillman then struck her multiple times in the face and body near the trunk area and along the passenger side of the vehicle.
Surveillance video obtained by investigators appears to show the victim getting out of the trunk and being beaten, according to WPLG.
The pair later got back into the vehicle and drove off eastbound on Northwest 177th Street before deputies conducted a traffic stop at Northwest 179th Street and Northwest 68th Avenue, where Tillman was taken into custody, authorities said.
After being read his Miranda rights, Tillman told investigators the woman had struck him first, according to the report. He also claimed she said she did not want to be around him and “would rather be inside of the trunk and not in his vicinity.”
Investigators said Tillman admitted to placing her in the trunk, driving the vehicle with her inside, and striking her.
Despite the allegations, authorities said the victim did not have visible injuries and declined medical treatment from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Tillman is facing charges of kidnapping and battery and was being held without bond Wednesday morning at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to jail records.
Records also show Tillman was previously arrested in an unrelated case on charges including aggravated assault with a firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm or weapon, and resisting an officer without violence.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Man Accused of Kidnapping Girlfriend Claims She Wanted to Be in Trunk
According to investigators, the suspect told deputies the woman said she “would rather be inside of the trunk and not in his vicinity.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 17, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Travis Tillman Jr. (via Miami-Dade Corrections)
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — A 24-year-old Miami-Dade man allegedly claimed his girlfriend wanted to be in a car trunk before he put her there and drove off, authorities said.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrested Travis Tillman Jr. after the incident, which authorities said began just before 1 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 7000 block of Northwest 177th Street in the county’s Palm Springs North area.
According to an arrest report cited by NBC 6 South Florida, Tillman and the victim, who are in a relationship and previously lived together, got into an argument over “personal matters” that escalated into violence. The couple does not share any children.
Investigators said Tillman grabbed the woman, forced her into the trunk of her vehicle, secured it, and drove away with her inside.
According to authorities, he later stopped the car and opened the trunk, at which point the woman tried to escape. Deputies said Tillman then struck her multiple times in the face and body near the trunk area and along the passenger side of the vehicle.
Surveillance video obtained by investigators appears to show the victim getting out of the trunk and being beaten, according to WPLG.
The pair later got back into the vehicle and drove off eastbound on Northwest 177th Street before deputies conducted a traffic stop at Northwest 179th Street and Northwest 68th Avenue, where Tillman was taken into custody, authorities said.
After being read his Miranda rights, Tillman told investigators the woman had struck him first, according to the report. He also claimed she said she did not want to be around him and “would rather be inside of the trunk and not in his vicinity.”
Investigators said Tillman admitted to placing her in the trunk, driving the vehicle with her inside, and striking her.
Despite the allegations, authorities said the victim did not have visible injuries and declined medical treatment from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Tillman is facing charges of kidnapping and battery and was being held without bond Wednesday morning at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to jail records.
Records also show Tillman was previously arrested in an unrelated case on charges including aggravated assault with a firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm or weapon, and resisting an officer without violence.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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