Executive Summary
- Willie James Taylor, 19, faces charges of armed robbery and battery by strangulation.
- The incident occurred in Miami Lakes after the suspect and victim met via an online dating app.
- Police allege Taylor held the victim at gunpoint and seized cash before being apprehended on-site.
A 19-year-old Miami-Dade County resident was arrested Monday night on charges of armed robbery and battery by strangulation following an incident involving a woman he met through an online dating application, according to law enforcement officials.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Willie James Taylor. According to the arrest report, Taylor and the victim connected via a dating app, exchanged phone numbers, and agreed to meet at Taylor’s residence in Miami Lakes. The situation escalated shortly after the victim arrived and was invited inside.
Investigators state that when the woman returned from using the restroom, Taylor allegedly grabbed her by the neck and pinned her against a wall. The report details that Taylor then pressed a firearm to the victim’s head and forcibly removed her purse from her wrist. He reportedly pointed the weapon at her and demanded she leave the premises immediately.
The victim fled the residence and contacted authorities. Responding deputies located Taylor in the parking lot of the complex, where he was taken into custody without incident. According to the police report, officers recovered $200 in cash from Taylor, matching the amount the victim stated was in her stolen purse. The victim subsequently positively identified Taylor as the assailant.
While the arrest report notes that Taylor denied involvement in the robbery during questioning, he was booked into jail on the felony charges.
Judicial & Safety Context
This incident underscores the potential volatility of in-person meetings arranged through digital platforms, a scenario that law enforcement agencies continue to monitor closely. As the case moves to the prosecutorial phase, the focus will likely center on the physical evidence recovered at the scene and the witness identification. It is important to note that all individuals, including Taylor, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
