FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Following an exhaustive investigation, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has successfully identified and apprehended the suspect believed to be connected to the kidnapping and sexual battery incident that took place on Saturday, Aug. 12.
Louvensky Accime, 24, now faces charges of two counts of robbery with a firearm, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery-carjacking, aggravated battery and the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“We have identified the suspect we believe to be involved in the carjacking, kidnapping and sexual battery of an adult woman,” said Fort Lauderdale Police spokesperson Casey Liening.
Accime’s apprehension came as a result of his arrest by the Broward Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 15 for unrelated charges.
According to authorities, the kidnapping occurred when a male and female were sitting inside a green Honda along Southwest Third Avenue when the suspect, armed with a firearm, approached them and demanded their belongings.
During this exchange, the suspect forcefully took control of the driver’s seat and stole the vehicle, with the female victim still inside, while threatening to kill them if he didn’t do what he said.
At some point, detectives said, the male victim jumped out of the car, and the vehicle crashed into a tree along Broward Boulevard
Police said the suspect grabbed the wheel.
“The suspect kidnapped the woman for about two hours, drove her around the city, took her to an ATM, attempted to pull money out of one of her accounts,” said Liening. “Eventually the suspect got out of the vehicle, and the victim made contact with police.”
Police said Accime choked the female victim until she lost consciousness, and at some point sexually assaulted her.
Police confirmed that he was not connected to a similar carjacking that occurred in the same area Friday, as he was behind bars as of Wednesday. That second incident led to a police chase later that day that ended in Palm Beach Gardens.
“We know for a fact that the person we are charging with the first incident is not responsible for the second incident because he was in BSO custody at the time,” said Liening.
Police are still looking for the suspect in that incident.
While significant progress has been made in the case, Fort Lauderdale’s detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and additional charges are a possibility.
“Those charges include two counts of kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery and two counts of robbery with a firearm, one count of possession with a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of aggregated battery,” said Liening.
Accime appeared in court. He is being held without bond and remains in custody.
If you have any information on any of these cases, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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