Hialeah, FL — Two Hialeah residents, Yohandry Rivera, 40, and Sacha Moreno, 26, have been arrested and charged in connection with a violent kidnapping and armed assault carried out under the guise of a fake job offer, authorities said.
The incident took place in broad daylight near the 800 block of West 20th Street on Saturday. According to Hialeah Police, the victim was lured to a commercial property by Rivera—who is also the father of the victim’s ex-partner—after a domestic dispute earlier that morning led the victim to contact police.
Under the pretense of offering him work, Rivera invited the man to the location, where Moreno—his brother-in-law—ambushed the victim from behind. The attack turned brutal: Rivera punched the man in the face and struck him with a black pistol, while Moreno choked him and restrained him with a rope.
The victim was then dragged into a vehicle and repeatedly assaulted. He attempted to seize the weapon during a brief opportunity, but Moreno hit him in the neck, forcing him to release the gun. Rivera then searched his pockets and stole his wallet.
Eventually, the victim was released. He contacted police, who documented multiple visible injuries including head bruises and marks on his ankles consistent with his testimony.
Rivera and Moreno later turned themselves in to authorities and are currently being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Both face charges including kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and assault with intent to commit a felony. They have invoked their right to remain silent.
The case remains under active investigation, and prosecutors are assessing further charges.
