DUNEDIN, FL –
Pinellas County detectives have arrested 37-year-old Larry Kobielnik, a former Tarpon Springs police officer and charged him with kidnapping and sexual battery. They say he offered a ride to a woman who was walking in the area of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Highlands Avenue in Clearwater on Friday night. After driving a few blocks, the 30-year-old woman asked Kobielnik to stop the car and let her out.
Police say he then pulled out a gun and a police badge and told the woman she was under arrest. They say he then drove to a house in Dunedin where he sexually battered the woman. She managed to escape after he fell asleep and she then called police.
Pinellas deputies say Kobielnik is currently employed the Transportation Security Administration but they’ve just released a statement that he is no longer employed by their agency. They also say he did not have regular interaction with the traveling public at TSA checkpoints.
Source: WFLA
