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Photo via Adam Hilarie/Facebook

Online dating setup results in alleged murder of Florida man

Another reason to keep your wits about you when searching for love online.

 

Brianna Holt

Tech

Posted on Aug 24, 2016   Updated on May 26, 2021, 4:58 am CDT

It’s always a good idea to be somewhat skeptical about online dating. You never know who you’re going to meet. In this case, you never know how many people you are going to meet.

A central Florida man was found dead after a woman he met through PlentyOfFish, an online dating site, allegedly planned for his home to be robbed, according to CBS News. Adam Hilarie was only 27 when he was found dead last week at his apartment in Auburndale.

Hilarie went bowling with Hailey Bustos last Thursday, and after the date, Hilarie brought 18-year-old Bustos back to his place, Auburndale police said. Unexpectedly, Bustos allegedly returned the next evening with three men to steal electronics she had seen in the apartment the night before.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, arrest reports say Hilarie begged for his life, told the suspects he had a 5-year-old daughter, and did not put up a fight, yet he was shot in the head. Police were given a tip by a local who saw Hilarie and Bustos together Thursday night, the newspaper wrote. Winter Haven police also caught Bustos during another alleged burglary last weekend. According to her arrest report, Bustos was paid $50 to set up the robbery and stayed in the car during the event.

The four suspects, including Bustos, Andre Warner, 26, Gary Gray, 31 and Joshua Ellington, 26, were arrested for charges of alleged robbery and murder.

Auburndale Police Deputy Chief Andy Gray reminded people to be careful when they date people they meet online.

“You just have to remember, you have no idea who you are talking to,” he said, via the Sentinel. “They may present themselves as one thing and be someone totally different.” 

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*First Published: Aug 24, 2016, 2:00 am CDT