HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Authorities in Broward County announced the arrest of a sexual assault suspect.
Hollywood police said 22-year-old De’Arius Woods assaulted multiple women at gunpoint on two separate occasions.
One of the assaults happened last month on Dec. 27. According to a police report, Woods approached a female walking behind a Hollywood Publix supermarket and convinced her to get in his car. He is accused of finding a parking spot, pointing a gun at the victim and forcing her to perform sex acts.
On Jan. 18 in an alley near Taft Street and Federal Highway, Woods allegedly drove up to another woman and told her to get in his car, where he proceeded to force her to have sex. According to a police report, Woods pointed his gun at the victim and when she began to cry, he slapped her several times with the gun.
That victim was able to get a look at Woods’ license plate and gave that information to police.
Woods was taken into custody on Thursday and is facing charges that include kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
He was scheduled to face a judge on Saturday morning but refused to appear.
Anyone with information on additional cases involving Woods is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.