Escaped Florida Rapist Caught
The serial rape suspect accused of terrorizing two South Florida neighborhoods with attacks on victims ranging from elderly women to an 11-year-old girl was back in custody Tuesday, a week since his brazen jail escape, after a tipster recognized his face and called police.
Detectives found Reynaldo E. Rapalo, his mustache shaved, about 10 p.m. Monday outside a video store in southwest Miami wearing a fuzzy pink sweater layered under a black sweater, said Amos Rojas Jr., Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent in charge. Officers chased him down on foot.
Rapalo, 34, broke out of jail Dec. 20 by rappelling down the building on bed sheets. He was awaiting a February trial on felony counts of sexual battery and other charges that could have sent him to prison for life. He is accused of sexually assaulting seven women and girls.
Rapalo was being held for questioning and was expected to appear in court Tuesday, police said. Recapturing the suspect was satisfying to authorities.
“He is a very dangerous individual and we are very glad to have him back in custody,” Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker said.
“The first time he was crying, very remorseful. Now he’s cocky and smiling. But guess what, we got him,” said Miami Police Chief John Timoney, who had joined the search on his bicycle.
Source: Tri-City Herald.
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