Miami Man Arrested for Kidnapping and Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend

Ronny Bacallao charged with strong-armed robbery, kidnapping, and battery after over a year on the run

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 41-year-old Miami man named Ronny Bacallao has been arrested and charged with kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, beating her, and stealing her cellphone and car keys while driving her to a friend's house in January 2025. The victim was able to get help from her friend after being dropped off, leading to Bacallao's arrest by deputies.

Why it matters

Domestic violence and abduction cases like this highlight the serious risks and trauma victims face, even after an incident has occurred. This arrest may provide some closure for the victim, but also raises questions about how to better prevent and respond to such crimes in the future.

The details

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, on January 7, 2025, Bacallao blocked the victim's car, pulled her out, and forced her into his own vehicle. During the drive to the friend's house, Bacallao repeatedly punched the victim in the face and head, took her cellphone and car keys, and threw them out the window when she tried to retrieve them.

  • On January 7, 2025, Bacallao kidnapped the victim and assaulted her.
  • Bacallao was arrested by deputies on Saturday, February 23, 2026, over a year after the incident.

The players

Ronny Bacallao

A 41-year-old Miami man charged with strong-armed robbery, kidnapping, and battery against his ex-girlfriend.

The Victim

Bacallao's ex-girlfriend who was kidnapped and assaulted by him in January 2025.

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What’s next

Bacallao is being held in custody and is awaiting trial for the charges against him.

The takeaway

This arrest underscores the importance of swift law enforcement action and support services to protect victims of domestic violence, even long after an initial incident. Community awareness and prevention efforts remain crucial to addressing the root causes of such crimes.