By: Sharon Aron Baron
Detectives are urging victims of sexual assault to come forward after the recent arrest of the suspect near the scene of the crimes.
Special Victim’s Unit detectives with Broward Sheriff’s Office want additional victims of Kevin Smith, 50, to come forward after his arrest on Monday for sexual assault and two counts of kidnapping.
Smith was arrested after an exhaustive investigation and surveillance operation, He was arrested near the scene of the crimes where detectives believe he may have been looking for his next victim.
On the morning of Feb. 24 a girl was making her way to school when Smith grabbed her and forced her into a vehicle at knife point. Smith sexually assaulted the juvenile victim inside the car. After the assault, Smith told the victim to get out of the car and not look back.
Just before 8 a.m. Feb. 27, Smith attempted to abduct a second juvenile victim. Smith grabbed the victim as she walked to school. She fought back, and after a brief struggle was able to run away. As she ran, the victim looked back and saw the suspect chasing her holding a large knife. She was ultimately able to get away and provided detectives with a description of the suspect and his car.
Investigators were able to generate a detailed description of the suspect and his vehicle. The morning of Feb. 28 detectives observed the suspect’s car close to where the two incidents took place in the vicinity of Northwest 41st Street and Northwest 31st Avenue in Lauderdale Lakes, close to Commercial Boulevard in Tamarac.
This is Smith’s ninth arrest since 2000. He is currently being held without bond.
Additional victims or anyone with information is asked to contact Broward Sheriff’s Office SVU detectives Ann Sutter or Bruce Link at 954-321-4240. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.
