Deerfield-News. com-Deerfield Beach,Fl-Source BSO-
DETECTIVES STOP SEXUAL BATTERY SUSPECT IN THE ACT
- PIO Number:
- 24-9-21
- BSO Case Number:
- 90-2409-004729
- Date:
- Sept. 15, 2024
- Time of Arrest:
- Approximately 9:30 a.m.
- Jurisdiction:
- Pompano Beach
- Place of Occurrence:
- 700 block of Northwest Eighth Avenue, Pompano Beach
- Victim(s):
- Adult female, victim of sex offense, name withheld
- Suspect(s):
- Matthew Merriman Cohen, 44, 11/14/79, male, 1751 N.E. 31st St., Pompano Beach
- Description of Incident:
Broward Sheriff’s Office V.I.P.E.R. (Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response) detectives arrested a Pompano Beach man early Sunday morning while he was in the act of committing a sexual battery.
The arrest stemmed from a previous sexual assault investigation being conducted by BSO Special Victims Unit detectives. Working with BSO’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), detectives identified the suspect’s vehicle as a white 2003 Cadillac Escalade.
On Sept. 15, while surveilling the suspect and his vehicle, V.I.P.E.R. detectives followed the suspect to a gas station in the 500 block of West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach. They said a woman got into the SUV, the two then drove to a nearby neighborhood and parked in the 700 block of Northwest Eighth Avenue. When detectives saw the suspect, Matthew Cohen, force the victim to perform a sex act on him, they moved in and took him into custody.
Detectives said the victim told them Cohen had offered to drive her to a friend’s house nearby. But instead, she said he demanded sex acts and told her he would not harm her if she complied. She said she tried to get away, but he pulled her back. She said she was in fear for her life and grateful law enforcement arrived when they did. After detectives questioned Cohen, he was arrested on one count of sexual battery and false imprisonment.
SVU detectives noted they were able to get the sex offense suspect off the street with the valuable assistance from BSO detectives in the Pompano Beach District Crime Suppression Team, the RTCC and V.I.P.E.R.
The investigation continues and additional charges are pending. SVU detectives believe Cohen is responsible for at least two other sexual battery cases that occurred in Pompano Beach. Detectives said there may be other similar cases that have gone unreported.
Detectives want anyone who believes they are a victim of Matthew Cohen to contact SVU Det. Melissa Wallach at (954) 321-4729.
INVESTIGATORS:
SVU Dets. M. Wallach, M. Brandly, J. Panza & V. Encina, CID
SVU Sgt. Y. Ayra, CID
THIS REPORT BY:
Veda Coleman-Wright/Dir. of PIO
Sept. 16, 2024 1300
Pompano Beach CST
RTCC & V.I.P.E.R.
COHEN, MATTHEW MERRIMAN
Inmate Information
Click To Enlarge
Charge
1
787.02-1aFALSE IMPRISONMENT – ADULT
BOND PLUS PTR ELMOBD$15,000.00
Charge
2
794.011-5bSEX BATT VICTIM 18 YRS OR OLDER BY PERSON 18 YRS O
BOND PLUS PTR ELMOBD$60,000.00
For information about BSO’s jail facilities including addresses and phone numbers, click here.
Click here for general information about charges, bond, the arrest process and visiting and phoning incarcerated inmates in any Broward Sheriff’s Office jail.
For information on specific court cases, please consult the Broward County Clerk of the Courts web site by clicking here.
