After more than two years of investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit, a Maryland man has been arrested and charged in connection to a 2023 assault case in Northwest D.C. According to the MPD, on December 2, 2023, the victim was attacked after getting into a vehicle they mistook for a rideshare on 18th Street and Columbia Road, Northwest.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Roosevelt Cazimir of Adelphi, MD, reportedly drove the victim to an unknown location, committed the assault, and attempted to sexually abuse them. The incident ended when the victim was allowed to exit the vehicle on the Unit block of K Street, Northwest, following which, Cazimir fled the scene. The arrest was made possible after persistent work by the MPD's dedicated team, leading to Cazimir's arrest on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Cazimir is being charged with Assault With Intent to Commit First Degree Sexual Abuse, as indicated by a DC Superior Court arrest warrant. The breakthrough in the case was announced on February 7th, directly from the MPD's official communications. The full report detailing the arrest and the initial incident can be found on the MPD's website, for those who seek to understand the sequence of events leading to this arrest. Interested readers can find more information at MPD's official press release.
This case brings attention once again to the risks associated with rideshare services and the importance of verifying a vehicle's authenticity before entering. The extended investigation and subsequent arrest show a commitment on the part of MPD to address such assaults, despite the challenges that complicated bringing the suspect into custody. Community safety and the pursuit of justice, remain at the forefront of MPD's efforts in the city. Roosevelt Cazimir remains in custody, pending trial.
