A 63-year-old Fort Lauderdale man is being held in Palm Beach County after deputies say he kidnapped and sexually battered a woman during an encounter that began late last month. Investigators are now asking the public to review phone video, dashcam footage and even casual interactions to help them determine whether there might be additional victims.
How Detectives Say It Unfolded
According to WPBF, Palm Beach County deputies say the suspect, identified as Verwayne Alexander, approached a woman who was walking in the 1000 block of Ingraham Avenue while driving a dark gray 2019 Chevrolet Trax and engaged in indecent behavior. Deputies say he then drove to Lake Ida Dog Park, parked and stayed inside his vehicle while watching people in the park. Detectives later responded to a report of an armed kidnapping and sexual battery and say they established probable cause during the investigation.
The Park And Patrols
Lake Ida Dog Park is a Palm Beach County operated facility at 1455 Lake Ida Road in Delray Beach, with separate fenced areas for small and large dogs, a dog wash station and steady foot traffic, according to Palm Beach County Parks. The county parks page also reminds visitors not to leave valuables in vehicles and to report anything unusual to park staff or by calling 911.
Arrest, Booking And Case Status
Alexander was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 10:01 p.m. on Thursday. During his first appearance, a judge denied bail and ordered that he have no contact with the victim, and his next court date is set for 10:30 a.m. on May 4, WPBF reports. He faces charges that include kidnapping and sexual battery by coercion and threat, along with four counts of indecent exposure. Detectives are urging anyone with information to contact Detective J. Guarducci at 561-688-3400, the PBSO desk at 561-688-4148, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS or submit an anonymous tip through the PBSO app.
Known Criminal History
State registry data aggregated by OffenderRadar show that Alexander has prior Palm Beach County convictions for kidnapping and sexual battery, including adjudications in the late 1980s and a 2021 sexual battery conviction. Those public records list him as released and subject to registration.
How To Help
Palm Beach County authorities are asking anyone who may have crossed paths with Alexander or whose cameras might have picked up his vehicle or behavior to come forward. The sheriff’s office offers a Crime Stoppers tip line and a mobile app with a “See Something” feature that allows for anonymous submissions, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. For more on how to report tips and explore additional contact options, residents can check the sheriff’s office news and contact pages.
