Deadly Winter Springs carjacking linked to Orange County shooting, deputy arrested, officials say

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office released several key developments in the homicide investigation involving a woman who was kidnapped at gunpoint near Winter Springs on April 11.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, of Homestead, was attacked and kidnapped at gunpoint at an intersection near Winter Springs.

Aguasvivas was stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of East Lake Drive and Tuskawilla Road in his Dodge Durango around 6 p.m. when a masked gunman armed with a 10 mm automatic rifle got out of a green Acura and get into his SUV, apparently forcing him to pull over. .

Later that evening, witnesses in Osceola County reported hearing gunshots and seeing smoke from a car fire. The car was badly damaged, and a body was found inside. Authorities believe it is Aguasvivas.

(UPDATE: Here’s what we know about a woman kidnapped in broad daylight near Winter Springs)

Sheriff Dennis Lemma said at a press conference on Monday afternoon that the 2002 Green Acura in question, one of only three in the state of Florida, has been found.

Lemma said the Winter Springs family sold the Acura to the dealership in December and the dealership then auctioned off the vehicle. The Acura was then purchased by a “buy here, pay here” lot who later resold it.

“And the people who bought the car didn’t come back to finish the extra work. They still owed the guy money so the car has been on the street probably since February,” Lemma said.

In another case, an Acura was towed from an apartment complex on March 19. According to law enforcement officials, the tow truck driver who towed the Acura was shot in Orange County on April 10.

Sheriff Lemma said a green Acura similar to the one involved in the kidnapping was seen in the area where the tow truck driver was shot. Over 100 rounds were fired during the shootout with a “good percentage” of the rounds being 10mm.

Lemma went on to explain that 10 mm bullets were used to kill Aguasvivas in Osceola County, although his body has not yet been identified.

“A very unique and unusual cycle for us to see out on the street,” Lemma said.

The Acura was then found on April 13, abandoned at an Orange County apartment complex, and was towed back to the sheriff’s office for evaluation.

Lemma said that when investigators dialed the number on the back of the victim’s SUV, her husband answered. Her husband and brother, who both live in Homestead, gave deputies “whatever information they could over the phone” before agreeing to travel to Central Florida to meet with investigators.

The two men then contacted their childhood friend, who is the wife of an Orange County deputy.

“The wife of an Orange County deputy came over and said, ‘I’ve been in contact with this person who has been identified by name as a detective with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Can you get any information on this person?'” Lemma said.

The deputy allegedly called Seminole County deputies, gave a false name and identified himself as an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office seeking information about this case.

“And our detectives obviously thought that the communication was strange, especially the timing. A few hours after we found out that we are dealing with a murder case here,” Lemma said.

The deputy, identified as 33-year-old Francisco Estrella, and his wife are accused of illegally accessing the database to obtain “personal characteristics, home address, photographs, signatures of our lead detective working on the case,” Lemma said.

Lemma said communications between her and detectives were recorded by Estrella and all the information gathered, including the recorded phone call, was sent to Aguasvivas’ husband who was being transported to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

Aguasvivas’ husband agreed to allow investigators to search his phone and deputies then discovered communications between him and Estrella, an Orange County deputy.

“That is why he has now been charged with five crimes here in Seminole County. Two of the criminals are responsible for recording and releasing the audio file of the detective’s conversation with him. Two of the charges are related to illegal access to databases,” Lemma said of Estrella.

Those involved in the shooting themselves and the individuals in the green Acura have not been identified at this time, according to deputies.

“We still have very dangerous people out there on the streets. We still want to encourage our public not to approach these people again should they appear to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with any information about the occupants of this very rare vehicle here in the state of Florida should contact authorities, either the Orange County Sheriff’s Office or the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

You can also call Crimeline anonymously at 800-423-8477 and be eligible to receive a reward.

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