A former Tarpon Springs police officer kidnapped a woman, held her captive for several hours and sexually battered her early Friday, detectives said.

Larry Kobielnik, 37, now an officer with the Transportation Security Administration, was arrested Saturday morning, booked in the Pinellas County Jail and charged with kidnapping and sexual battery.

Residents in his neighborhood say they aren’t exactly surprised to hear about his arrest.

"He seems to be very upset, and he seems to be very quick with a temper and he can be quite scary if you confront him," said neighbor William Keller.

According to authorities, the woman, 30, was walking near Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Highlands Avenue in Clearwater around 2:30 a.m. when Kobielnik drove up to her and asked her if she wanted a ride.

Detectives said the woman accepted the ride, but after a few blocks, she asked Kobielnik to stop his vehicle and he refused. They say he then showed her a gun and police badge and told her she was under arrest.

Kobielnik drove to a house in Dunedin, where he sexually battered the woman, authorities said.

Detectives said the woman was able to escape after several hours when Kobielnik fell asleep. She took down Kobielnik's tag number, which helped detectives locate him.

Kobielnik denied the allegations, but was arrested anyway, authorities said.

He has been charged with kidnapping and sexual battery. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

Kobielnik, who has been with the TSA since 2002, has been suspended from his position.