Miami, FL
Brave Florida teen fights off NY creep who tried to abduct her: ‘I started punching’
A brave 16-year-old unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks to fight off a creep from New York who tried to abduct her early Thursday morning in South Miami.
The teen was walking with her friends in a suburban neighborhood just after midnight when Brian Gamboa, 32, pulled up to her in his vehicle and tried to force her into his car, according to reports.
“A guy came out of the car, he approached me and started attacking me by my shoulders and the back of my head,” the teen told CBS News Miami. “I fought back – I threw my phone at him, I started kicking him, I started screaming, I started punching him.”
Gamboa allegedly tried to overpower the girl and pushed her to the ground, but she fought back.
“I dragged him down with me,” she added. “Then I kicked him in the crotch and the head and ran off. I screamed for help at a neighbor’s door.”
The teen, identified as a 16-year-old named Valerie, said that Gamboa appeared “drunk” and was “really wobbly,” according to WSVN.
The teen escaped and called the police immediately but Gamboa wasn’t spotted until a few hours later after he was involved in a hit-and-run crash outside of a South Miami restaurant.
Miami-Dade police arrested Gamboa Tuesday on charges of attempted kidnapping and battery of a child. Gamboa’s bond was set at $30,000 and was placed under house arrest.
Gamboa appeared in his mugshot with fresh scratches on his face and a major gash on his forehead after the teen’s fierce fight.
Police said that Gamboa, who was originally from New York but living in Miami, had prior offenses including possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license, CBS reported.
Gamboa had a warrant out for leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, police records show.
First-degree kidnapping in Florida carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years and a $10,000 fine.
“It was really scary. I’m OK, except the fact that my knee is messed up,” Valerie told WSNV. “Like, I’m OK. I got pretty lucky; like, it could have been way worse for me. I didn’t want to have a story like that. I didn’t want to have his impact on my life like that, so I was just fighting.”
The contact period for 2028 recruits officially opened on June 15th, and Miami has been active on the recruiting trail.
Now more than ever, recruiting players early matters, with several committing before taking their official visits in their senior season.
Miami has been high on 2028 running back Terriel Harmon for a while, and he discussed the Hurricanes with Miami Hurricanes on SI.
READ MORE: Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 Football Commitment Tracker
The Hurricanes contacted Harmon almost immediately after the contact period opened and got down to business with him.
“The running backs coach (Coach Merritt) hit me up, and we just talked about the leadership I am going to bring to Miami and the environment of Miami,” Harmon said.
Even before the contact period opened up, Harmon already had a sense of what Miami was like.
“They bring the energy,” Harmon continued. “I love the players like Javian Mallory, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher.”
Mallory is an incoming freshman running back at Miami, and he played high school ball at West Boca. Harmon just transferred to the South Florida power. The two of them have a great connection, and Mallory is recruiting Harmon to join him in college.
“He’s been telling me that Miami is the place to be and that it is great,” Harmon said.
Even though it’s still early in his recruitment, the Hurricanes are still in a prime position for the local three-star running back.
“I’m still not sure where I will go to school, but Miami is for sure at the top,” Harmon finished.
More About the 2028 Class
The 2028 class will be crucial for the future of Miami. Arguably, the two best prospects of the past few years, Amir Sears and Bryson Wright, are right in the Hurricanes’ backyard, and the two could change the course of Hurricanes football if they come.
Overall, the 2028 class in Florida might be one of the best in any state ever. There is so much talent throughout the state, and Miami is looking to get a class that rivals this 2027 class, which is the top three in the country per Rivals.
Some other in-state prospects that the Hurricanes are targeting include Gabriel Player (four-star linebacker), Asher Ghioto (four-star defensive lineman), Antonio Thompson Jr. (four-star defensive back), and George Selvie (four-star offensive lineman), amongst a ton of others.
While Harmon is only a three-star now, it would not be surprising if he becomes a four-star by the end of his senior season.
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