Baltimore man's braces rubber bands lead to his arrest for allegedly assaulting elderly woman
11/29/2023 3:33 pm PST
BALTIMORE (TCD) -- Police arrested a man after linking his orthodonture work to the alleged sexual assault and kidnapping of a 71-year-old woman.
On Nov. 7 at 6:09 p.m., Baltimore Police Department officers responded to the 4300 and 4400 blocks of North Franklintown Road and located the female victim who said an unidentified man sexually and physically assaulted her while she was walking along the Gwynns Falls Trail.
Baltimore Police said the suspect "struck up a conversation with her and began to follow her." Then, he allegedly held onto her and took out his gun. The woman tried to run away, which police said caused a "violent physical assault."
The woman ultimately fled and found assistance. She reportedly sustained severe injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Baltimore Police investigators tracked down the suspect, 46-year-old Charles Avon Taylor, and arrested him in Towson. Court records show he is charged with kidnapping, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, use of a dangerous weapon, and a fourth-degree sexual offense.
Suspect’s Identity Sought
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) November 9, 2023 @BaltimorePolice
Northwest District Detectives & Special Investigation Detectives need your help identifying the individual pictured below regarding an aggravated assault & sexual assault that occurred in Leakin Park in the 4300 and 4400 block of N. Franklintown Road… pic.twitter.com/0o7YgAPSwl
According to court documents cited by NBC News, the woman was on a walk in Leakin Park at around 3:30 p.m. when Taylor allegedly approached her and brought up the weather. Then, he allegedly told her, "I'll kill you," and grabbed her. The victim bit him, but then Taylor reportedly punched her in the face and choked her, which knocked her unconscious.
Taylor purportedly took the woman to a homeless encampment where he lived and bound her to a chair. He allegedly kissed her and put his hands on her breasts. He made her lose consciousness a second time by pressing his forearm on her throat.
The woman told police Taylor had "fits of rage" and she attempted to calm him down.
NBC News reports the victim untied herself after she told Taylor she lost her glasses, which distracted him as he started looking for them. She ran across a creek and an embankment, then "screamed for help." A driver pulled over and called police.
The woman reportedly led police to the scene and investigators found a "blood-stained rope placed in the seat," as well as "packets of elastics used for braces."
A detective reached out to the rubber band manufacturer and found out only one dental office — which was only a few miles from Baltimore — used their brand. Investigators went to the office and showed employees the police sketch of the suspect based on the victim's description. The office workers reportedly said it looked like Taylor. The victim also reportedly positively identified Taylor.
NBC News reports Taylor went to a psychiatric facility on Nov. 8, but he is now in custody at the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center.
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