Man Charged With Armed Sexual Assault In Little Haiti Attacks
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) –Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina says an accused rapist who attacked two women last Thursday is now tied to seven crimes. He is currently under arrest for three cases and Colina says he will face charges in four other cases.
The Chief spoke out as the suspect was held without bond when he appeared before a judge.
Colina told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that are "seven different cases" and said "We are very gratified because we were worried about a possible escalation. We're extremely thankful to the public that he is off the street."
"What is striking as well Peter is he knew we were out there in force looking for him and that did not seem to deter him from approaching other victims. Often times when someone knows that we are looking for them they conceal themselves and they hide. That was not the case here."
Colina was concerned about a new case in which the suspect, 34-year-old Tavares Canty, is charged with voyeurism after a female told police she was taking a shower on Tuesday and saw Canty looking in her bathroom window. She screamed and he ran away.
Colina said, "That's the type of behavior that raises red flags that things could be much worse. Sometime people don't want to make a big deal about that about someone looking in a window but we need to know about that."
Colina says other possible victims should not be afraid to come forward.
"We need them to come forward to help us and there could be additional charges if he has victimized other people. We want to know about it and hold him accountable to the public we serve."
Lt. Alfredo Delgado, who is a Commander of the robbery unit with Miami Police, said Canty was arrested after a critical tip from an informant.
"We received a phone call from an informant who told us where he was," said Delgado. "We depend on our informants for the information they provide to us. It was very important that detectives were able to go out in to the community and build a rapport so people can help us. He [Canty] was definitely in a violent pattern and we needed to get him off the street."
D'Oench spoke with Jocelyn Creed, who showed us where his 18-year-old step-daughter was taking a shower. "It was right here behind this window," he said. "I'm glad he was caught. I feel good that they caught him."
The victim's sister, who did not want to show all of her face and whose first name is Roseline, said "My sister was taking a shower and getting ready for school and she screamed my name. I think there I something wrong with this person. I think he has mental problems."
Canty was held without bond when he came before Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer at a hearing. He ordered Canty to have no contact whatsoever with the victims.
In court Canty said, "I don't want no public defender."
But Judge Glazer appointed an Assistant Public Defender for him saying he needed an attorney because Canty faces "serious charges."
Canty faces a slew of charges including armed sex battery, attempted kidnapping and armed burglary.
Canty was taken into custody Wednesday in Liberty City after police got a tip that he was in the area of 24th Avenue and 65th Street.
He was booked into jail overnight and is facing multiple counts including armed sexual assault, armed kidnapping, and armed burglary.
His arrest came six days after the attacks he's accused of committing.
"We were thankful to the public, we received tips daily," said Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina. "If not for the help from the public we might not have been able to make this arrest. This is what we've asked for in the past, that you let us protect you."
One of the women managed to get away after he came into her backyard, knocked on her door, and tried to kidnap her. Surveillance video shows him in the woman's yard and their confrontation.
One hour after that frightening confrontation police said Canty attacked and raped a woman a few blocks away.
The victim's stepmother says the victim's newborn son was in the same room and two other children were in the home when the attack took place.
"We have no doubt that the crimes would have continued had he not been arrested because of his violent criminal past," Colina said.
Police said that Canty was on his bicycle when he was taken into custody and he resisted arrest.
Colina said that Canty may also be responsible for at least four other cases including sexual battery, kidnapping, and voyeurism.
Canty has a long rap sheet including 23 felony arrests and nine convictions.
Anyone who knows of other victims should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
