Be Extra Alert if you use Footbridge by Minnesota Avenue Metro – UPDATE – Arrest Made

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to a first degree sexual assault while armed/kidnapping, which occurred on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at approximately 11:00 am, in the 700 block of Barnes Street, Northeast. The suspect accosted the victim and walked her across a footbridge. The description of the suspect in the sexual assault is similar to two incidents that occurred on Friday, March 7, 2014, and are possibly related.

On Friday, March 7, 2014, at approximately 7:05 am to 7:10 am, a complainant exited the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station tunnel onto the footbridge located in the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. She walked past the suspect, who approached her from behind. The suspect told her to follow him and said something to the effect that he would shoot her if she did not follow. The complainant began to follow the suspect. At some point, the complainant stopped following the suspect and she fled in the opposite direction.

At approximately 7:30 am, another complainant was walking near the foot bridge when she was approached by the suspect. The suspect told her to “come here”. The complainant didn’t respond, and the suspect said it again. The complainant saw an unknown male walking, and she pretended she knew him and walked towards him. The suspect briefly gave chase but the complainant escaped.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20’s, approximately 5’7”, slim build, short black hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a black skull cap, tan jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt with a single front pocket, white-washed blue jeans, and black and white Nike Jordan 3 shoes. He may go by the name “Moses.”

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099.”

UPDATE from MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department has announced that an arrest has been made in the first degree sexual assault while armed/kidnapping and related offenses that occurred adjacent to the footbridge along Minnesota Avenue NE.

On Saturday, March 1, 2014, at approximately 11:00 am, an adult female was walking in the area of the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, when she was approached from behind by an unknown male suspect. The suspect produced a handgun and forced the victim along side a residence in the 700 block of Barnes Street, NE, where he sexually assaulted her. The suspect fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at approximately 11:30 am, an adult female was walking in the area of the 700 block of 44th Street, NE, when she was approached from behind by an unknown male suspect. The suspect suggested he had a handgun and forced the victim to walk with him. After walking a short distance, the suspect attempted to forcibly take personal belongings from the victim. She fought him off and escaped. No property was taken.

On Friday, March 7, 2014, at approximately 7:05 am, a juvenile female was walking in the area of the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, when she was approached from behind by an unknown male suspect. The suspect suggested he had a handgun and forced the victim to walk with him. After walking a short distance, the victim was able to escape the suspect.

On Friday, March 7, 2014, at approximately 7:25 am, a juvenile female was walking in the area of the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, when she was approached from behind by an unknown male suspect. The suspect asked her to come to him. The victim refused and immediately fled before any offense occurred.

On Thursday, March 13, 2014, 22-year-old Gerald Canty of Northeast, DC was arrested and charged with three counts of Kidnapping, First Degree Sexual Abuse while Armed, and Assault with the Intent to Rob.

This case was closed through an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Investigative Units in coordination with Sixth District patrol officers and the Metro Transit Police.”