ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
Police have arrested a suspect in the case of a woman who was tied up at knifepoint and robbed at an Orlando apartment complex Thursday night, authorities said today.
Dennis Nino, 24, was located near the intersection of Semoran Boulevard and Grant Street, less than 24 hours after a terrifying home invasion at the Venetian Place Condominiums just blocks away.
Just before 8:45 p.m. Thursday, the victim was walking her dog when a man approached her and threatened her at knifepoint.
"He approached her with a knife and threatened her,
basically forced her back into the apartment. Then, he physically tied her up," said Sergeant Jim Young with the Orlando Police Department. "While she
was tied up, you know, he continued talking to her, saying several things. Then
he took several items from the apartment and left the apartment."
The arrest report says Nino brought duct tape with him to
tie her up, and during the conversations, even told her that she should have
been his girlfriend.
"She's doing better," said Sgt. Young. "Obviously, she didn't suffer any
injuries, but you know, it's traumatic for victims to experience something
along the lines of what occurred in this case."
The victim told police she recognized Nino from around the area.
Nino was taken to the Orange County Jail, a place he
knows quite well. He has been arrested seven times in the past six years. Five of those
arrests were for crimes similar to the one he was charged with on Friday, including
theft, burglary and armed burglary. This time, he will be charged with armed home
invasion and false imprisonment.
