Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the arrest of a convicted felon involved in the kidnapping a one-year-old girl last month.
On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the one-year-old girl was sleeping in the back of her family's SUV when a suspect entered the unlocked, running vehicle and drove off with her inside of it. West was located by HCSO Master Corporal John Seale unharmed inside the vehicle at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, approximately three miles from where the vehicle was stolen in Valrico.
Rashad Mann, 26, was arrested and faces kidnapping charges.
“When Tinnley was found safe, I told you that was the best possible outcome, but our work wasn’t done yet,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We needed to make sure her family received the justice they deserve and the person responsible was held accountable. We can now say, with the arrest of Rashad Mann, this is the best possible outcome.”
Mann was initially arrested on unrelated charges. Earlier this month, deputies in HCSO’s District II were investigating several daytime burglaries. During the course of that investigation, a vehicle of interest was identified and Mann and another male were spotted inside the vehicle. As deputies conducted surveillance on the two men, they observed the suspects burglarizing homes. Mann and Anthony Gaskin were arrested in connection to at least six burglaries throughout Hillsborough County.
While Mann was in custody, detectives investigating the kidnapping had reason to believe that he may be connected to their case. They collected DNA from Mann and sent it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to be compared to the DNA swabs that were collected from the stolen vehicle involved in the kidnapping. On March 15, the DNA came back as a match.
"I am so proud of the deputies and detectives who worked this case and excited to announce we have apprehended the kidnapper," said Sheriff Chronister. "It is my hope that baby Tinnley's family can finally find some comfort knowing Rashad Mann, the individual who has created nightmares for this family, is behind bars."