NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — Detectives suspect a 30-year-old North Miami man who was accused of trying to kidnap a girl on her way home from school while on probation for molesting a girl last year at a store’s toy section may have preyed on other girls.
Detectives reported there was evidence that Matthew Duchatelier, who worked as a DoorDash driver, was driving a silver car on Thursday when he followed a girl from school to an apartment complex in North Miami, according to the police arrest report in the case.
A teenage girl told Local 10 News on Friday that she saw the man grab the girl from behind, and heard her shouting -- “Help! Help!” -- as she fought back.
Duchatelier “was able to put the victim in the front driver’s seat but left the door open. The victim was able to escape,” a North Miami police officer wrote in the arrest report.
North Miami police officers arrested Duchatelier on Friday afternoon at the Pioneer Apartments, along Northeast Sixth Avenue, near 123 Street. Correctional deputies booked him on Friday night at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, records show.
A Miami-Dade judge granted the prosecution’s motion for pre-trial detention on Saturday, court records show.
On Sunday, North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme commended the North Miami Police Department for the “swift and decisive” action.
“This incident serves as a sobering reminder for our community to remain vigilant. If you see something suspicious, please say something,” Desulme said in a statement, adding that there was an ongoing investigation into the possibility of more victims.
Duchatelier faced a new charge of attempted kidnapping of a child under 13 for the incident on Aug. 21, at 13550 NE 10 Ave. He was accused of violating a probation for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child aged 12 to 16.
“It is deeply concerning to learn of Duchatelier’s prior arrest,” Desulme said in the statement about the case on Oct. 12, in the toy section of T.J. Maxx, at 12163 Biscayne Boulevard.
The probation started about 4 months ago and was set to end on April 2, 2029, according to Miami-Dade County court records.
“His current detention without bond reflects the seriousness of these allegations, and I trust the ongoing investigation into potential additional victims will be thorough,” Desulme said in his statement.
Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Michelle Ashby Delancy presided over the lewd and lascivious molestation case, and she is set to preside over the new attempted kidnapping case.
Desulme asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 to remain anonymous.
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