Fifth suspect arrested in Tampa kidnapping, armed robbery linked to home rented by Detroit Lions player: TPD

Tampa robbery case linked to Detroit Lions player

Several suspects have been arrested in Tampa in an alleged armed robbery and kidnapping. A number of them are linked to an NFL player. FOX 13's Kylie Jones reports. 

TAMPA, Fla. - A fifth suspect has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery and kidnapping in Tampa that detectives say is linked to a rental home used by Terrion Arnold, a cornerback for the Detroit Lions.

According to the Tampa Police Department, Boakai Hilton, 23, was arrested in Hernando County and will be extradited to Hillsborough County.

What we know:

During a pretrial detention hearing Tuesday, TPD discussed the allegations against Hilton, who was an accomplice of Christion Williams, 24, and Lyndell Hudson II, 26. 

READ MORE: Detroit Lions player linked to two suspects arrested in Tampa armed robbery, kidnapping: Detectives

Detectives said the three men were armed and held victims against their will inside an apartment at the Eagles Point at Tampa Palms complex on Feb. 4.

Courtesy: Tampa Police Department

Investigators say the victims were lured to the apartment by Jasmine Randazzo, 19, and Ariana Del Valle, 18. According to court documents, when one of the men opened a bedroom closet door, he was confronted by two armed suspects who are accused of pistol-whipping and threatening the victims.

Detectives said those two suspects are believed to be Williams and Hudson.

Courtesy: Tampa Police Department

Dig deeper:

Detectives believe the armed robbery is connected to reported thefts at a Largo home that was being rented by Arnold. Detectives said high-end bags, guns, a cellphone and $100,000 in cash were reported stolen from the property in two separate incidents prior to the alleged kidnapping and robbery.

Hilton faces three counts of kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm or terrorize and three counts of robbery with a firearm. 

Investigators say additional suspects may be involved.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear whether any arrests have been made in connection with the Largo thefts.

Editor's Note:

When this story was first reported, a representative for Terrion Arnold responded and said that Hudson is not a security guard for Arnold, and that Williams is not Arnold's cousin.

Arnold’s attorney, R. Timothy Jansen Esq. released an official statement regarding the case:

"To be clear, Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests. He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way. Mr. Arnold categorically denies these unfounded claims and maintains his complete innocence. He was not involved in the crimes allegedly committed on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida."

At this time, Arnold has not been criminally charged in this case.