A man incarcerated while awaiting trial on two counts of rape escaped from the Golden Grove Correctional Facility Sunday night and, according to police, traveled to the Frederiksted area and raped a woman.
Police warned the general public that the inmate, Rafael Joseph, escaped sometime after 9 p.m. Sunday. He raped his former girlfriend at about 2 a.m. Monday, the police said.
Police said this escapee poses a serious danger to women in the community.
Rafael Joseph is a black male, 35 or 36 years of age. He is 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a slim build, and weighs about 140 pounds. He has a bald head and a mustache.
Joseph was arrested in February 2011 and charged with two counts of rape. According to police reports at the time, his arrest followed reports by two women that they were sexually assaulted by a man they identified as Joseph. The first victim told police she was sexually assaulted by a former boyfriend on Feb. 12 at about 4:30 p.m. in a residence just outside of Frederiksted town. That victim was identified as the woman Joseph allegedly raped again Monday morning.
Police are asking that women in the community take extra precautions until Joseph is found. Drivers were asked to be cautious of anyone fitting Joseph’s description who may be hitching rides on the roadway.
Anyone who comes into contact with the escaped prisoner or knows anything about his whereabouts is asked to call the 911 emergency dispatch center immediately.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated give the correct name of the suspect as provided by the Bureau of Corrections, and to add detail.
