Who is Brandon Rodriguez? Alleged Brooklyn child predator who used dog to lure 3 kids sought by cops
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY: An alleged child predator is reportedly wanted by authorities after he was accused of using his dog to lure minors off the streets of New York City.
The New York Police Department revealed how Brandon Rodriguez tried to convince at least three underage girls to follow him into an apartment building on May 24 and 25. The 25-year-old was caught on surveillance cameras walking his dog in Brownsville, Brooklyn, at 7:30 am on Monday, May 24, per footage released by police on Monday, May 31.
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Rodriguez reportedly approached a 13-year-old girl on Monday near Osborn Street and Pitkin Avenue, asking her to take a photo of him with his dog. He subsequently lured the victim into a building where he touched her inappropriately. According to the New York Post, Rodriguez prevented her from leaving by placing a dog by the doorway and taking her bag. However, he reportedly fled when the girl's friend called out to her.
The suspect is believed to have employed the same strategy the following day. He asked a 12-year-old girl on Christopher Avenue to take a picture of him with his pooch, but she ran away when he allegedly tried to lure her into an apartment building, police said.
Barely an hour later, Rodriguez reportedly asked another minor -- this time an 11-year-old female -- to snap him and his dog near Watkins Street and Pitkin Avenue. That girl also fled when he allegedly tried to lead her into an apartment building, officials said.
WANTED for A Luring Pattern. #Brooklyn @NYPD73pct 5/24/21-5/25/21 between 7:39 AM- 8:31 AM in the vicinity of Pitkin Ave ,The perpetrator, Brandon Rodriguez tried to lure three underage girls into an apartment building Reward up to $3500.Know who they are? Call 1-800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/IBa1SoY0Zz
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) June 1, 2021
In a letter sent last week, Brooklyn grade school Leadership Prep Ocean Hill in Brownsville noted that it was aware of a potential sexual predator prowling nearby streets and warned parents about the same.
The letter, obtained by Pix11, revealed that the man had reportedly been wandering the perimeter of the school with his dogs during drop-off and pick-up hours. Police said one of the dogs was a black and white husky.
"We understand that this is a scary situation for our school community," the letter reportedly stated. "We want to reassure you that the 73rd Precinct is in active pursuit of the described male...The 73rd Precinct has also increased presence in the area surrounding our school."
Authorities would later identify the man as 25-year-old Brandon Rodriguez and seek the public's help in tracking down his whereabouts. Police described him as being about 5 feet 5 inches tall with his hair in braids. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweater and black pants, and reportedly owns two dogs -- a husky and another smaller dog.
Details of Rodriguez's criminal history and record are unclear.
If you or anyone you know has information related to the suspect, you can submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are urged to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).