A shocking incident captured on surveillance footage has revealed a registered sex offender apparently celebrating after committing a crime on South Beach, heightening community concerns and prompting swift police action.
Rasheed Armahd Jones, 49, a known sex offender with a history of offenses in South Carolina, has been charged with felony lewd and lascivious molestation in South Florida. This disturbing incident occurred just before 7 p.m. on a section of the Miami Beach Boardwalk near Fifth Street.
According to the arrest report, Jones approached a 14-year-old girl and intentionally brushed his hand against her in a lewd manner. The victim recounted to the police that Jones gestured for her to remain silent by placing his finger on his lips.
The situation escalated when the girl’s mother saw Jones nearby and confronted him after her daughter reported the molestation. Subsequently, Jones fled south along the boardwalk. A passerby witnessed the commotion and alerted police officers, who were then approached by the victim’s mother to report the misconduct.
Significantly, surveillance cameras chronicled not only the offense itself but also Jones’ bizarre behavior afterward, depicting him ‘skipping and dancing,’ seemingly in celebration of his actions.
A be-on-the-lookout alert was issued by the authorities, and at approximately 8:30 p.m., an officer identified Jones near 14th Place and Ocean Drive, leading to his detainment. The victim later confirmed his identity, culminating in Jones’ arrest.
Presently, Jones is being held at the Metrowest Detention Center under a $25,000 bond. He is registered as a transient sex offender in Florida.
The arrest of Rasheed Armahd Jones illustrates the ongoing challenges of managing registered offenders in communities. It underscores the importance of vigilant surveillance and swift law enforcement response to prevent and address such troubling incidents.
Source: Local10
