JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is now calling a rape at gunpoint that happened downtown "an isolated incident" and saying that is why it never alerted the public about it.
It's not the first time JSO hasn't alerted the public about situations such as this and, sometimes, it's for a perfectly good reason.
For example, investigators could have a viable lead on a suspect, and they don't want to tip their hand. But that's not the case here.
Action News Jax obtained a heavily redacted police report filed with JSO on Tuesday, July 23, detailing a rape at gunpoint.
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The report said it happened on Union Street on the sidewalk next to First Baptist Church around 1:30 a.m.
Rolanda Moore frequents the area to catch the bus.
She said she had no idea about the rape until Action News Jax told her about it.
"That's something that you think you would've liked to know?" asked Lorena Inclán.
"Yes, 'cause that could've been me," said Moore.
According to the police report, the attack happened in a doorway. Investigators said that, when they went back to the scene, they found a wristband on the sidewalk, which was entered into evidence.
Action News Jax asked JSO on Thursday why it didn't alert the public.
Officer Christian Hancock answered us on Friday. This is the full statement:
"The incident you refer to continues to be an active investigation. Investigators have been working to locate the victim to verify the information given at the time of the report as well as gather further information into the reported incident.
"The information initially given by the victim leads investigators to believe the alleged suspect is known to the victim and their interaction, may be in part, as a result of previous encounters.
"At this time, this is an isolated incident and investigators continue in their attempts to gather further information in relation to the report. When further information becomes available on a possible suspect, it will be disseminated to the public."
Update: @JSOPIO says no one from its Public Information Office alerted the federal courthouse. However, someone with knowledge of the investigation felt it was important enough to alert employees at the federal courthouse, even gave them a suspect description. https://t.co/fwqe8BPVrM
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) August 2, 2019
"That really matters little. Apparently, this was an assault with a firearm and a sexual battery and that's something that should concern all of us," said Action News Jax law & safety expert Dale Carson.
Carson said there are times when law enforcement agencies will purposefully withhold information.
"An ongoing investigation and if you can't find the victim to determine whether or not an assault actually occurred," said Carson.
Someone with knowledge of what happened thought the crime was serious enough to alert employees who work at the federal courthouse.
On Thursday, Action News Jax showed you an email that security at the courthouse told reporter Russell Colburn was sent to the staff. It included a description of the suspect that matched almost word-for-word, what was in the police report.
JSO said that no one at its public information office gave the information to the courthouse.
"We have more than 3,000 employees. Any statement released should have included that the victim and suspect are believed to be known to each other, and it is believed to be an isolated incident," said Ofcicer Melissa Bujeda.
"You err on the side of alerting the public. That's what you do," said Carson. "If they've alerted us and it's not a problem, no harm, no foul."
Action News Jax contacted other law enforcement agencies in the area to see how they handle similar situations in which a dangerous person is on the loose.
We only heard back from St. Johns and Nassau counties. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said it evaluates incidents on a case-by-case basis
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper sent us this statement:
"Anytime the sheriff's office feels that the public is in any danger, we will notify the public in the immediate area with a door to door detective/deputy canvass, and make notifications on social media.
"The protocol taken by members of the sheriff's office will differ, depending on the type of crime committed, weapons used, and the suspect's actions. Although we cannot elaborate on the exact procedures used to locate a suspect, due to maintaining the integrity of the case, public safety for future incidents, officer safety, and not wanting to reveal our tactics to suspects. We can assure the public that while we are attempting to locate a suspect, investigative efforts will always be ongoing until the suspect or suspects are located."
Cox Media Group
