Man Charged With Armed Assault, Kidnapping

SEBRING - A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail Friday, charged in connection with a reported armed burglary, armed assault and kidnapping of a Sebring woman.

Chad Anthony Martin, 27, of 7414 County Road 17 S., Sebring, was booked in Wednesday on charges of burglary of a dwelling, structure or conveyance while armed, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping to commit or facilitate a felony.

On Nov. 8, sheriff's investigators met with a Sebring woman who reported that at about 11 p.m. Nov. 7, in the 3000 block of Sparkling Drive, in Sebring, she heard a noise of her kitchen door opening.

She looked out her bedroom door and spotted two people standing in her living room, the report
stated.

She locked the bedroom door and tried to get out through her laundry room door, which connected to her bedroom. As she tried to get out through her back porch, she reported she was grabbed by her hair by a man she knew only as Chad.

He yelled into the house, "I've got her," the report stated, and dragged the victim back inside the house by her hair.

She then saw the other man coming down the living room hallway.

Martin reportedly told the victim he wanted his money ($15,000) involving some type of deal with the victim's ex-boyfriend.

While the other man stood in front of her, Martin reportedly pulled out a silver switch-blade-type knife and put it to her throat, the report stated. With the knife to her throat, he reportedly told her "If you don't give me the money, I am going to kill you and your family."

The victim reported she began to struggle with "Chad" and she was told to stop. Martin reportedly threw her to the floor and told her he would see her later. Martin and the second man reportedly left.

The victim reportedly identified Martin from a photo lineup.