Miami Police Say Rapist May Have Other Victims
MIAMI(CBSMiami) - Miami Police say a rapist who attacked a woman in broad daylight last Monday morning may have other victims. And they are hoping the public can help them find the attacker.
"It was very possible she was not the only victim," said Miami Police officer and spokesman Rene Pimentel.
Pimentel told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that "We're very concerned that this person is still out there and we want to make sure if anyone has information to please give us a call. We are working this case very intensively and we need the public's help."
Pimentel said it was 9:20 on December 30th when the attack happened. He said the woman was sitting in her parked car in the area of Northeast 9th Avenue and 86th Street when man entered the passenger side of her car.
The man, armed with a handgun, then forced the victim to the back seat.
The suspect got in the driver's seat of the car and drove a short distance before jumping into the backseat and sexually assaulting the victim.
A neighbor who did not want to give her name told D'Oench that she will not forget what happened when she came home last Monday morning after getting groceries.
"The lady next door came screaming from the car and into the next door neighbor's house beating on the door. He opened the door and the next I knew the police were here and an ambulance came and detectives were here," she said.
"I used to feel safe but now I look at everyone through my peephole," she said. "I check everyone to see if they are suspicious. I have a handicapped mother and a handicapped daughter and that just cries out for something to happen to them. I mean this happened at 9 o'clock in the morning. Who would do such a thing?'
"We need to get this person off the street," the neighbor said. "If he's violent now he is only going to get more violent."
Police say the suspect stole several items before fleeing in a dark blue or black late-model Chevrolet Impala with dark tinted windows and chrome rims and chrome or silver door handles.
The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s who is clean shaven and has brown eyes. He was wearing a grey hoody with a teddy bear on the front, knee-length black shorts and sneakers.
"We want people to look at the surveillance video of him because he has a distinctive walk like each and every one of us. It's a very distinctive walk, just like a fingerprint," said Pimentel.
"Serious charges are coming down against this individual, charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and sexual assault," said Pimentel. "Other than murder it does not get much worse than that. He is a violent predator."
Another neighbor, Jeffrey Wilkinson, told D'Oench he had not seen the criminal in the composite sketch but he is also alarmed.
"I know a gun was used in this sexual assault and it happened in broad daylight which makes much to be concerned about," said Wilkinson.
"I think it's extremely important to get calls about this individual to get this person off the street," he said. "It is more likely he will strike again."
Women in the neighborhood have their guards up.
"I'm terrified. Especially when I'm walking alone," Ruchira Setheia told CBS4's Lauren Pastrana. "I always keep my doors locked, when I get in that's the first thing I do."
"Keep the door locked. Keep the windows up. When you're walking, always look like you know where you're going," Julie Williamson said. But even she admits to making herself vulnerable by sitting in her parked car alone. "I was just doing emails for five minutes before getting out of my car," she said.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect or the vehicle shown can remain anonymous and if a tip leads to an arrest is eligible for up to a $1,000 reward from Miami-DadeCrimestoppers.
You can call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477) or visit Crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip."
Anyone with information regarding the suspect or the vehicle shown can remain anonymous and if a tip leads to an arrest is eligible for up to a $1,000 reward from Miami-Dade Crimestoppers.
You can call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477) or visit Crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip."
