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2 tourists abducted, robbed

A pair was taken at gunpoint from the Downtown Disney parking lot.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 11, 2007

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Two tourists from Connecticut were abducted at gunpoint, robbed and beaten early Sunday after a shopping trip in Walt Disney World, but they were not seriously injured, authorities said.

Justin Stetzer, 20, and Jessica Dellacamera, 20, both of Branford, Conn., were walking in a parking lot after shopping at Downtown Disney shortly after midnight, when one of three men in a black Volkswagen Jetta asked them a question, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Stetzer and Dellacamera stopped to answer and were forced into the car and driven to an ATM at a gas station, where Stetzer was forced to withdraw money, the Sheriff's Office said.

Then they were taken to a remote location near an Osceola County landfill, forced from the car and beaten, authorities said. They fought back and Stetzer was struck in the head with a handgun.

During the struggle with the robbers, the gun went off. The robbers apparently panicked and fled, the Sheriff's Office said.

Stetzer and Dellacamera walked to nearby home and called the police. Authorities described their injuries as "bumps and bruises" and said Stetzer suffered two cuts on his head where he was hit with the gun. The injuries did not appear to be serious, authorities said.

Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez confirmed that the abduction took place on Disney property and said the company was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

"No one should have to go through an experience like this, " Suarez said.

"We are cooperating fully with law enforcement with its investigation ... and have offered assistance to our guests."

A telephone page left with the Sheriff's Office spokesman was not immediately returned.

[Last modified June 10, 2007, 23:46:50]