MIAMI – Miami police released new video Monday of a man who tried to force his way into a woman's home in Little Haiti last week. An hour later, police said the same man, Tavares Canty, 34, forced his way into another woman's home just blocks away and raped her.
Police are currently searching for Canty, who is considered armed and dangerous. He faces charges of attempted kidnapping and sexual assault.
The video from a home security system camera shows how Canty approached the woman on her porch as she was leaving her home with her dog around 7 a.m. Thursday.
Seeing Canty, the woman quickly tried to run back into her home, but Canty grabbed her and held her in the doorway. The woman was able to fight back and push Canty away. The video shows her running away from her home and Canty fleeing in the opposite direction.
The 29-year-old victim told Local 10 News that she had recently broke her left arm in a car accident. She said she is still shaken by what happened and was shocked that was she was able to fight off the man with a broken arm.
"I told him to go away, and I push him back and he pushed me inside of the house," she said.
Nearby residents told Local 10 News reporter Terrell Forney Tuesday that they've seen him before in the neighborhood.
"I've seen him around before, like begging for coins and stuff like that, because he's homeless," Yslande Rosemond said. "He's really homeless. He don't have anywhere to stay, so for him to rape somebody -- wow, he's really desperate."
Another neighbor, Vickie Williams, said she is carrying around a pocket knife for protection until Canty is arrested.
"This is my neighborhood, this is where I live at and I'm afraid to come out," she said.
Anyone with information about Canty's whereabouts is asked to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
