Homestead Police Issue Safety Alert for Man Who Exposed Himself and Attempted to Kidnap 10-Year-Old Girl

HOMESTEAD – There is a security alert in Homestead after, according to police, a man exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl and tried to kidnap her.

According to police, it happened when the victim went to a dumpster at the Phoenix Apartments to drop off a bag of trash. She noticed a man get out of a car and expose himself. When he tried to grab her, police say she ran to a nearby playground and tried to hide. They say the suspect fled in his car heading west on NE 8th Street.

Although the crime occurred on May 31, police are now asking for help as they have not been able to locate him.

They describe him as a black man with dark skin and short hair. Police say he is between 40 and 50 years old, between 1.75 and 1.78 meters tall and weighs between 68 and 79 kilos.

They published a sketch of him based on the victim’s description.

They also described the suspect’s vehicle as cream or beige in color and said it was an older model, four-door sedan (possibly a Toyota) with several items inside.

Police say it is not known if the suspect lives in the area or if he has struck before, but they do not want something like this to happen again.

Homestead Police spokeswoman Officer Paula Carballosa told CBS News Miami’s Peter D’Oench she had a message for the community.

She said: “If you have seen anything, please call us. The information we receive from the community is invaluable and we have very little to go on. Our biggest concern is to make sure the community is aware of the danger out there. It is vitally important that the community tries to help so we can work together. We are all a team.”

She said: “We would like to urge parents in the community to be aware of their surroundings. This is a time when danger is present. Talk to your children about what to do if they ever find themselves in a situation like this. Fight back. Try to escape. Run away and get to safety and do what you can. Scream and draw attention to yourself.”

Residents of the apartment said they had not seen the suspect before.

Jessica Whipple, a mother of five who has lived in the apartment complex for six years, said: “I have little girls myself and I would be terrified if something bad happened to them.”

She said she was disturbed by the incident.

“I’m a firm believer that when a child goes outside, parents should keep an eye on them at all times. We live in a dangerous world and you never know who’s watching. I would say if you know this guy, tell someone. You don’t want this to happen to you.”

Homestead police said the child’s relatives were too distraught to comment at this time.

They say they are still looking for surveillance tapes that might help.

If you can help, call Homestead Police at (305) 247-1535 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).