A man locals know as “Big Baby” is behind bars this week after Miami-Dade deputies say he pulled a gun on, beat and stabbed a 72-year-old man who panhandles in West Perrine, leaving the victim bloodied and in the emergency room. The attack happened on the morning of July 8, according to deputies, and the suspect, identified by authorities as 49-year-old Thomas Isaac Dudley, allegedly stole about $130 before taking off. Investigators say the victim, who uses a urostomy bag, believes he was singled out because he is unable to defend himself.
According to an MDSO arrest report, as reported by Local10, deputies say Dudley stepped out of a car at the intersection of Southwest 102nd Avenue and 174th Terrace and pointed a gun at the older man. The report states he yelled, “Give me the money. Where’s the money, boy?” before allegedly grabbing a galvanized metal fence post or pipe, striking the victim and stabbing him multiple times as the driver later sped off. Authorities say they recovered a bloodstained pipe from the scene. The victim later picked Dudley out in a confirmation photo, and records show he was arrested at a Richmond Heights address on July 23 and charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery on a person 65 or older.
Arrest and Where He’s Being Held
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center is Miami-Dade County’s primary booking and pretrial detention facility, according to Miami-Dade County. Dudley was being held there without bond as of Friday afternoon, according to available records and the arrest report.
Record and Aliases
State records show Dudley spent nearly 15 years in prison following a Brevard County robbery and had recently been released in April after a Miami-Dade grand theft conviction, as reported by Local10. Deputies say he also goes by several other street names, including “Pinky Baby” and “Teddy Bear,” and that he was described as “combative” when officers took him into custody.
Charges and What Comes Next
Dudley faces state charges including armed robbery and aggravated battery on a person 65 or older, with those counts to be handled in the county court system. A judge will review his detention conditions, and prosecutors will decide on formal charges and arraignment timing as the investigation moves forward.
