Man arrested in armed kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of homeless woman in Miami – NBC 6 South Florida
A man has been arrested in the violent armed kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of a homeless woman in Miami, and police believe there could be more victims.
Rodney Joseph, 32, was arrested Wednesday on charges of armed kidnapping, attempted sexual assault and aggravated assault with a firearm, Miami police officials said.
Miami-Dade Corrections
Police said the victim was in the area of 3rd Avenue and Northwest 16th Street around 12:30 a.m. Monday when Joseph, driving a silver SUV, approached her and offered her a ride to a homeless shelter.
The 40-year-old victim, who did not know Joseph, accepted the ride, but realized Joseph was not heading toward the shelter and attempted to get out of the SUV.
Joseph offered the victim money in exchange for her exposing herself, but when she refused, he held the car door shut and began punching and choking her, an arrest report said.
He then pulled out a gun and threatened to kill the woman if she didn’t expose herself, the report said.
The victim complied, but when Joseph tried to sexually assault her, she was able to fight him off, get out of the SUV and ran to a nearby gas station to get help, the report said.
On Wednesday, the victim identified Joseph as her attacker in a photo, the report said.
Joseph was taken into custody on Wednesday and taken to prison. Attorney information was not available.
Police are still investigating and said investigators believe there are additional vulnerable, homeless female victims who may have been taken advantage of by Joseph, who offered them help getting them to a homeless shelter while wearing medical scrubs wore.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami police at 305-603-6300.
