Safety Harbor man attempted to kidnap 76-year-old woman, police say

A Safety Harbor man was arrested for attempting to kidnap a 76-year-old woman, police said.

Clearwater police arrested 37-year-old Douglas Hoover on Wednesday afternoon. According to police, he approached the victim in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby, located at 23660 U.S. 19 North. 

As she was about to enter her vehicle, Hoover cornered her against her vehicle, and said “Get in the car. I have a gun,” police said. The victim screamed and fell to the ground. 

That’s when Hoover ran eastbound through the parking lot and was being chased by a witness, police said. The witness lost sight of the suspect behind the Barnes and Noble in the shopping plaza. 

When officers arrived they set up a perimeter, and K9 Ambrose tracked Hoover’s scent to an apartment complex at 2550 Stag Run Boulevard, where he was found an arrested.

Hoover was arrested on an attempted kidnapping charge. No other details were provided, including a potential motive.