Fla. man convicted of kidnapping his wife and kids in 'violent crime spree' across several counties

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) -- A 36-year-old man faces up to life in prison for abducting and attacking his wife and their four children across multiple counties.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced May 20 that Antonio Caban was convicted of kidnapping and assault in what they called a "violent crime spree." His sentencing is scheduled for July 7.

According to authorities, the incident began in LaBelle on Jan. 3, 2023. Caban reportedly "took control of his wife’s car" before biting her face and threatening his kids. The sheriff’s office noted that Caban’s family had been abused by the defendant for years, so they fled their home in Puerto Rico.

Caban reportedly drove his family around for several hours, traveling across multiple counties and threatening to harm them. Officials said he hit his wife with a tire iron and hid her phone in a citrus field at one point so no one could track it. The defendant also allegedly told his wife that he planned to drive to a home improvement store to purchase a "shovel to kill and bury them all."

According to the sheriff’s office, Caban’s wife "tricked" her husband into bringing her to a women’s shelter. Once there, she reported the incident to employees. Deputies rushed to the scene, rescued the family, and apprehended Caban.

In a statement, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said, "This case is a stark reminder of the dangers victims of domestic violence can face. I commend the victim for her courage and quick thinking in the face of great danger. I also want to thank our deputies and partnering agencies for their rapid, coordinated response that brought this family to safety and helped bring a violent offender to justice."

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