Final Arrest Made In NMB Kidnapping & Sexual Battery Case
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A third and final arrest has been made in a case where a 26-year old woman was kidnapped and raped in North Miami Beach last month.
North Miami Beach announced the arrest of Dwayne Pryce, 18, on Friday.
The North Miami Beach Police Department released a letter written by the brave victim, who they say was brutalized by three young men.
"This is by far the toughest and most egregious situation I've ever had to face. Although the recovery process has yet to be completed, it gives does give my mind a bit more peace that the suspects have been captured and justice will be served."
Two other teenagers were arrested in connection to the case last month; Antonio Hodgson, 16, and Terry Petitfrere.
All three are charged with armed sexual battery, armed robbery and carjacking, and armed kidnapping. Police say they will all be charged as adults.
"[The NMB Police Department] worked tirelessly to apprehend these menaces in 33 days," said Mayor George Vallego of North Miami Beach. "So not just for this city, but entire community of South Florida will be able to sleep safer tonight because these guys are off the streets. "
On January 16, 2014, the victim was walking back to her car after picking up food from a restaurant at 1026 North Miami Beach Blvd. when she was approached by two males wearing black gloves and armed with handguns.
"Looking for prey," said Detective Nigel Morrison, the lead detective on the case. "They were in the parking lot prior to this incident, before the victim even arrived, looking for a victim to terrorize that night."
According to an arrest report, the woman was forced into the back seat of her car and her face was covered with a pillowcase. A van with a third suspect followed as she was driven to the Oak Grove Area in North Miami-Dade County where, police said, she was raped multiple times by each suspect.
They then drove her to various locations in the North Miami-Dade County/North Miami Beach area including several fast food restaurants and gas stations, and used her credit card to make purchases, before she was dropped off near her home.
According to the arrest report she was told to wait 5 minutes before moving, she did, and then drove home to call police.
Investigators say the victims description of one of the suspects, physical evidence including fingerprints and a firearm, and surveillance video, helped them track down their suspects.
"We had a victim that despite being in the most horrific of circumstances, she was able to give us some very good information," said Detective Morrison.
