Online Dating Turns into Robbery and Kidnapping in San Mateo, Authorities Say
A man was reportedly robbed and kidnapped by a woman he met online, as stated by the San Mateo Police Department.
The incident occurred on Thursday when the victim told authorities that he had been communicating with a woman, identified as San Mateo resident Luciana Romano, on Facebook for two days for “dating purposes.” When they met at a location on Hillsdale Boulevard, police reported that Romano threatened him while they were walking to his car.
Romano allegedly demanded that the victim drive her to a gas station in San Carlos, where she insisted he withdraw money from an ATM. After the withdrawal, she forced him to drive to a San Carlos motel for a “brief stop.” Romano then required him to return to San Mateo, where she fled on foot in the 100 block of 37th Avenue.
The victim contacted San Mateo Police at 8:12 p.m. and provided them with photos of Romano, which aided in her identification.
The next day, police located Romano outside her apartment and arrested her. She has since been booked into the county jail on charges of kidnapping and robbery.
