Help Police Identify Man In Connection With Rape & Robbery
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade police are hoping a picture could help them solve a recent robbery and sexual assault case.
The man seen in the image is described as a Hispanic male, in his early 20s. He's five foot 6 and 130 lbs., with short black curly hair and a tattoo on his left forearm.
Miami-Dade Police Det. Roy Rutland said the man is not a suspect, but he may have information that could lead to an arrest.
Authorities said a 45-year-old female victim was at a night club on Southwest 127 Avenue and 8th Street two Sundays ago. She told cops she left around 5 a.m. and claimed a man followed her to the area near Northwest 99th Avenue and 10th Street, where he robbed and raped her.
"Now I'm worried because I used to walk here every night," Carmen Rivera said upon hearing the news a sexual assault happened so close to her usual walking path. She said she no longer wants to walk by herself. "It's dangerous. We don't want to take any chances on anything like that."
19-year-old Melissa Velasquez also works out in the area. She said she'd be on her guard from now on.
"Now that I've heard his story, it's kind of scary to be walking around alone," Velasquez said. "You never know who could be the person to follow you home."
Det. Rutland said the man they would like to speak to probably works in the fitness industry.
"Anyone who frequents gyms here knows it's a small community, so we believe somebody who frequents gyms in the area may know who this man is," Rutland explained.
Until police can get some answers, women in the area said they would be playing it safe.
"5 o'clock in the morning is not for someone to be out in the street coming from a nightclub," Rivera said. "Make sure you're with someone. Not be by yourself because it's not safe."
If you recognize the man in the pictures, please contact the Miami-Dade Police Department at (305) 4-POLICE (305-476-5423), Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (305-471-8477) or the Special Victims Bureau/Sexual Crimes directly at (305) 715-3300.
