New details on attempted kidnappings near the FSU campus

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The man who was accused of attempting to kidnap two women near the FSU campus on Monday morning hugged his first victim from behind, tried to take off her pants, then tugged her onto one Wiese before she was able to escape, the police report said.

In the second incident, police said the suspect attempted to grab a woman as she walked to her car, repeatedly tried to open the vehicle after locking herself in, and then exposed herself.

Travis Gibson, 38, is on the Leon County Jail for kidnapping, sexual assault and break-in. Police also said Gibson attempted to break into two houses on West Georgia Street and North Copeland Street during the crime.

RELATED: Suspect in custody for attempted kidnapping near FSU campus in Tallahassee

Court documents say the first attack occurred around 6:38 a.m. Monday when an FSU student walked between Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and the Carraway buildings at FSU. She told the police that the suspect who was chasing her was hugging her from behind.

She eventually escaped and ran for help, activating an FSU emergency alert station nearby.

Following that kidnapping attempt, investigators say that at 7:20 a.m., Gibson was caught by surveillance camera while attempting to break into a house on West Georgia St., standing on a chair, reaching a kitchen window and trying to open it before attempting to open it went.

Shortly thereafter, police announced that Gibson had made his second attempt at kidnapping when a woman walked to her car in the Casanas Village Apartments in West Georgia.

The victim told police Gibson was pulling into the parking garage and when she approached her car Gibson tried to grab her but he only got her purse. She could get into the car and lock the doors. Then, according to the arrest report, the suspect repeatedly pulled the handle and said, “Go away, b *** h”. According to the police, the suspect then exposed himself and stuck his tongue out at the victim. She backed up and drove away, again exposing the suspect as she pulled out of the garage.

But Gibson’s rampage was not there, according to the arrest report. Police said he was spotted playing around the bedroom window of a house on North Copeland Street within minutes. A woman in the house heard the noise, spotted him and he ran away.

After the second victim was reported from West Georgia Street, the FSU, Tallahassee Police and Deputies of the Leon County Sheriff closed the area for several blocks around the crime scene. It was then that an FSU officer spotted the suspect on West Brevard, who was caught by law enforcement in the area after a brief chase.

According to the arrest report, Gibson was shown personally to both victims and both identified him as their attacker.

Below are affidavits of Gibson’s arrest. NOTE: Information in the affidavits is of a graphic nature and is not suitable for all readers.

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