The Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit in collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) have arrested the man wanted for an attempted kidnapping that occurred last Thursday in Pompano Beach and other similar incidents in Fort Lauderdale’s jurisdiction. The suspect, identified as Rondel Joseph McDonald, faces a list of charges including one count of attempted armed kidnapping for the Pompano Beach incident.   

According to investigators, at around 6:30 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 29, McDonald was driving a grey colored sedan near the 200 block of Northwest 12th Court in Pompano Beach. At the same time, a young girl was walking to school heading westbound on Northwest 12th Court when McDonald stopped her and ordered her to get into his vehicle. The victim refused and continued to walk westbound. 

Detectives say McDonald drove beside the girl again and pointed a black and grey firearm at her and demanded she get into the car. The girl quickly fled the area to a place of safety and reported the incident. McDonald fled in the vehicle eastbound. That same day a similar incident occurred in Fort Lauderdale’s jurisdiction. 

BSO and FLPD issued news releases with sketches and surveillance video in the hopes of identifying the suspect. 

On Sept. 3, FLPD detectives arrested McDonald for an armed sexual battery that occurred in their city. Through investigative methods, detectives from both agencies determined McDonald is the subject responsible for the attempted armed kidnappings in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale and other similar crimes. 

Detectives said McDonald confessed to all three incidents. Following the arrest, he was booked at the BSO Main Jail. The investigation is ongoing.