Honeymooners accused of rape tried to abduct University of Miami student, detectives say

Couple from Georgia accused of crime spree during Miami honeymoon

MIAMI – Miami police detectives linked a Georgia couple who went on a recent crime spree during their honeymoon to the attempted abduction of a University of Miami student. 

During their short stay in Miami-Dade County, the couple was accused of raping a 28-year-old woman near Doral, trying to kidnap a 21-year-old UM student in Brickell and stealing from a store in Edgewater while naked.

"Hell of a honeymoon," Miami-Dade County Judge Victoria Sigler said during a hearing after their July 12 arrest. 

Miami police officers worked with Miami-Dade police detectives to link Timothy Lowe, 37, and Rashada Hurley, 32, to an attempted abduction across the street from the Brickell Metromover station. The couple appeared in Miami-Dade County court Thursday to face additional charges. 

The UM student told Miami police officers that she left her condo at the Axis on Brickell's North Tower to buy a few things at the 7-Eleven across the street about 4:20 p.m. She could have been another one of their victims, but her instincts saved her.

The student told police officers that Lowe pushed her to a stairwell, where Hurley -- who was wearing pink underwear and a black tank top -- threatened her. The student said they told her that she needed to walk with them and get in the car, but she found an opportunity to run to safety.

For weeks, the UM student feared for her life. She didn't know that Lowe and Hurley were behind bars after they were accused of raping a 28-year-old woman they kidnapped at the parking lot of a Publix Super Market in Hialeah. 

The woman told police officers that she was about to drive away from the supermarket when Hurley walked up to her window. Assuming that Hurley needed help, the woman rolled down her window. That's when she said Hurley struck her on the head so hard that she lost consciousness. 

When the woman woke up, she said Lowe was driving her car. She said Hurley punched her, tried to choke her and used her credit card to get a room at Motel 6, 7330 NW 36 St., near Doral. She said they forced her into a motel room, where they raped her.  

Detectives said employees at a Walgreens and a 7-Eleven on Biscayne Boulevard near the Midtown area said Lowe and Hurley were naked when they walked into both stores July 11. Police officers accused them of stealing from the 7-Eleven at 34th Street. 

Hurley faced charges of attempted kidnapping, indecent exposure and possession of cocaine. Lowe faced charges of sexual battery, kidnapping, burglary, battery, carjacking, grand theft, attempted kidnapping, indecent exposure and petit theft. They were both held without bond.


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.