An individual sought for the attempted kidnappings of two teenage girls in Broward County has been apprehended, authorities reported. 27-year-old Rondel Joseph McDonald is facing multiple counts, including sexual assault with a weapon, after allegedly trying to abduct the teens on separate occasions last week. According to WSVN, McDonald appeared before a judge on Wednesday morning where the litany of charges against him was presented.
Arrested on Tuesday, McDonald is ascribed with 11 charges that range from kidnapping with the intent to inflict harm to lewd and lascivious conduct. After a series of incidents that set off an intense search by law enforcement, a heightened police presence was maintained across Broward County, leading to McDonald's capture. As obtained by NBC Miami, Fort Lauderdale Police and the Broward Sheriff's Office held a joint news conference to discuss the details of the arrest.
The initial incident took place near Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale, where a 17-year-old girl was allegedly approached by McDonald driving a gray sedan. "The girl told deputies that McDonald held her at gunpoint and tried to get her in his car, but she escaped and ran," as reported by WSVN. This attempted abduction occurred shortly after another attempted kidnapping involving a 15-year-old in Pompano Beach, who reportedly had a similar encounter with McDonald.
During the joint press conference, officials revealed the armed kidnapping and sexual battery case that happened the previous day, which was also reportedly linked to McDonald. Driving beside her and brandishing a firearm, he demanded the 15-year-old girl to enter the vehicle at gunpoint, but the quick-thinking teen ran to safety. Sketches of the suspect were later released by the authorities, leading to McDonald's arrest as described by NBC Miami.
