Rape suspect nabbed by observent BSO bike cop
A Broward Sheriff’s Office Sex Crimes Unit detective canvassing a Dania Beach neighborhood for a rapist spotted the suspect and took him into custody this past Thursday night.
On the evening of September 7th, an 18-year-old woman was pulled from the sidewalk in the 600 block of SE 2 Ave. and sexually assaulted by an Hispanic male on a BMX-type bicycle. The victim did not report the crime to authorities until September 9th. At around 8:50 p.m. on September 9th, a 25-year-old woman was the victim of an attempted sexual battery in the 300 block of E. Dania Beach Blvd. BSO deputies were able to obtain a description of the suspect that led to an intense search for the rapist.
Public notifications were made and surveillance and canvassing of the area was quickly initiated by the BSO Dania Beach District deputies, the Selective Enforcement Team (SET) and Regional Investigations detectives. A composite sketch of the suspect was also developed and circulated, along with the description of the bike.
On Thursday evening, September 10th, while canvassing the area for witnesses, BSO Sex Crimes Detective Julie Bower spotted a man who matched the description of the suspect, on a bicycle that also matched the suspect’s bike. She detained the subject, identified and Eduardo Josue Ortiz Romero, 18, from Honduras.
When interviewed, Ortiz Romero admitted to both attacks and mentioned to the detective that his “urges would have caused him to strike again” had he not been apprehended. Ortiz Romero was charged with one count each of sexually battery and attempted sexual battery and two counts of false imprisonment. He was booked at the BSO Main Jail where he is being held on $225,000 bond for the above charges plus a no-bond immigration hold.
