Couple Seen on Surveillance Video Trying to Stop Man Accused of Raping Woman in Luxury Miami Apartment
Arrest Made
Diontae Blackman, 26, is facing charges of armed sexual battery, burglary with assault or battery, and kidnapping with a weapon, firearm or aggravated battery, an arrest report said.
Background
Three years before this latest arrest, Blackman was arrested for a similar crime in Brickell that he was still on probation for, police said.
The Incident
According to the report, on August 26, 2024, Blackman entered the victim’s building at an apartment on Northeast 5th Street. The victim, a 20-year-old woman, told officers that her friends left her apartment and she was sitting on her balcony when she noticed Blackman was in her kitchen.
Confrontation
When the victim approached him and questioned what he was doing in the apartment, she said he pointed to the hallway and mentioned the word “room” while holding the top of a broken glass bottle in his hand, the report said. According to the victim, she doesn’t speak English well and had a difficult time communicating with Blackman but he took his right hand and ran his thumb from left to right across his neck area with the top of the broken glass bottle in hand.
Rape
Based on the gesture, the victim thought her life was in danger and followed Blackman’s commands. When the two were in the bedroom, the report said Blackman took his pants off, exposed himself and told the woman to take her shorts and underwear off. He then gestured towards his genitals and the victim performed a sex act, fearing for her life, the report stated. The report states that Blackman turned the victim around and raped her. He then left the apartment.
Aftermath
After she was alone, the victim locked her door and called her roommates, telling them she was raped. She provided them with a description of Blackman. Surveillance video shows Blackman walking through the lobby of the apartment and heading toward the entrance but he was seen stopped by the victim’s roommates. Blackman shoved one of the female roommates and got into an altercation with the male roommate before he fled the scene.
Arrest and DNA Match
When the victim went to a rape treatment center, a DNA sample obtained from her matched Blackman. He was then taken into custody by police.
Surveillance Video
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of community involvement in preventing and reporting crimes. The couple who tried to stop Blackman showed bravery and quick thinking, and their actions likely prevented further harm to the victim.
FAQs
Q: What charges is Diontae Blackman facing?
A: Blackman is facing charges of armed sexual battery, burglary with assault or battery, and kidnapping with a weapon, firearm or aggravated battery.
Q: What was Blackman’s previous criminal history?
A: Blackman was arrested for a similar crime in Brickell three years prior to this latest arrest, and was still on probation at the time of the incident.
Q: How did the victim communicate with Blackman?
A: The victim, who does not speak English well, had a difficult time communicating with Blackman, but he took his right hand and ran his thumb from left to right across his neck area with the top of a broken glass bottle in hand, which she interpreted as a threat.
