Rondel Joseph McDonald would not be deterred from his apparent goal of sweeping an unsuspecting child off the street, authorities said. A 15-year-old girl narrowly escaped his clutches last week before he was tried again, a third time, with a 17-year-old — who got away.
Now, officials are saying he didn’t stop there, successfully kidnapping another 15-year-old and sexually assaulting her Tuesday.
After six days on the run from his botched kidnappings, Broward authorities nabbed him. Until Wednesday, the community was only given two artist sketches and a video of one of the near kidnappings — his identity was a mystery.
READ MORE: Two teen girls nearly kidnapped on same day in Broward. Cases could be related
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Broward Sheriff’s Office joined together to announce McDonald was the man behind the crimes in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale — he’d been handcuffed and jailed Tuesday.
Authorities emphasized the bravery of the victims coming forward, and collaboration between the two law enforcement agencies led to his capture.
McDonald’s tenacious pursuit of these teen girls began Thursday morning. A 15-year-old girl was in Pompano Beach to school when McDonald, driving a grey sedan, stopped behind her, the sheriff’s office said. He ordered her to get in his car, but she refused and walked on.
He continued to drive next her, this time pointing a gun and demanding that she get in. The young girl sprinted away to a safe place and called 911.
A little under two hours later, McDonald was 11 miles away following a 17-year-old also walking to school in Fort Lauderdale. He called out to her and then tried to lure her into the car at gunpoint, police said. She repeatedly told him no before he sped away.
Over the weekend, authorities blasted artist sketchings and surveillance videos to catch him. He was not yet in police custody when he came upon his next victim.
Just after midnight on Tuesday, a 15-year-old girl was walking in the 1400 block of Northwest Seveth Street in Fort Lauderdale. While on the phone with her friend, McDonald toward her and sparked a conversation, police said.
When the girl ignored him, McDonald pulled out a gun and demanded she get in the car — the young girl complied, police said. He drove a short distance before pulling over and ordering her to have sex, but she protested.
McDonald forced himself on the teen, sexually assaulting her, before police say he allowed her to leave and sped away from the scene. Detectives were able to catch up with McDonald later that day after interviewing the abused teen, who identified him in the photo lineup.
According to police, McDonald confessed to the attempted kidnappings after his arrest Tuesday.
McDonald is facing two counts of sexual assault with a weapon on a minor, two counts of displaying a firearm during a felony and one count each of: kidnapping and inflicting bodily harm on a victim; lewd and lascivious conduct; false imprisonment of a child to commit sexual battery; lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor; allow a child to engage in sex; kidnapping; and solicitation.
As of Wednesday, he is still in the Broward County Main Jail, records show.
Authorities still ask anyone with information on McDonald’s alleged actions to call Detective Sergeant Hector Martinez at 954-828-5510. Information can be given anonymously by calling Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
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