In a significant breakthrough, a cold case from 2015 has seen new developments in Tamarac, Florida. The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) recently arrested a suspect in connection with a brutal abduction and sexual battery incident that occurred on July 10, 2015. The victim, a young woman, was leaving an apartment complex parking lot shortly before midnight when she was approached by an unknown man who threatened her and forced her into a vehicle with another man. The assailants discarded her phone and drove to a secluded location where she was sexually assaulted.
Miraculously, the victim managed to escape by jumping from the moving vehicle and sought help from a nearby business. Despite the harrowing experience, the case went cold shortly after due to a lack of leads, even though forensic evidence had been collected. Over the years, DNA profiles from the evidence were entered into a national database without yielding any matches.
The Arrest of Melvin Kendrick
Fast forward to December 2024, when the BSO’s Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation and took a fresh look at the DNA evidence. This re-examination led to a breakthrough, identifying a potential close family member of one of the attackers. This eventually pointed to 59-year-old Melvin Kendrick as a suspect. Kendrick was interviewed, and a DNA sample collected from him matched the evidence from the 2015 incident.
On February 19, 2026, Kendrick was arrested by BSO’s V.I.P.E.R. Unit and now faces charges of sexual battery and false imprisonment. The investigation continues as authorities are still searching for the identity of the second suspect involved in the crime. The BSO encourages anyone with information to come forward, especially if they have details regarding the second man. People can contact Detective David Towsley at 954-321-4210 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
The community has reacted with a mix of relief and concern as this case, once thought to be unsolvable, has made progress after more than a decade. The commitment of law enforcement to revisit cold cases and utilize modern forensic techniques has proven essential in seeking justice for victims. As the investigation continues, it highlights the importance of community vigilance and the need for witnesses to come forward, ensuring that all involved are held accountable.
For further details, you can read more about the case from [CBS 12](https://cbs12.com/news/local/dna-breakthrough-leads-to-arrest-in-2015-abduction-sexual-battery-in-tamarac-dna-breakthrough-bso-broward-deputies-escape-victim-arrest-suspect-melvin-kendrick-sexual-battery-false-imprisonment-forensic-evidence-viper-investigation-2015-crime-decade) and [Tamarac Talk](https://tamaractalk.com/bso-arrests-suspect-2015-tamarac-kidnapping-56542). This case serves as a reminder that justice can be pursued, no matter how much time has passed.