PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A 26-year-old man is facing several charges after being accused of robbing and raping a man that he met on a dating app in Prince George's County. He is also accused of carjacking a separate man, whom he also met on a dating app.
The investigation began on Feb. 12, when detectives were informed of a sexual assault that happened on Feb. 10 in Brandywine. Officers learned that Rodney Richardson, of Brandywine, met a man on Tinder and the two agreed to meet. During the time they were together, Richardson allegedly raped the unidentified man at gunpoint.
Court documents indicate that Richardson forced the man to lie in a car trunk all night and then the following day, he forced him to withdraw $4,500 dollars from his bank account.
Richardson threatened to kill the man and his entire family if he did not comply according to police details.
Richardson was charged with rape, kidnapping, handgun offenses, armed robbery and multiple other charges, according to Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD).
In a second case, Richardson was connected to an armed carjacking that happened on Feb. 2. According to police, Richardson also met that man through a dating app. When they met in person, police say Richardson carjacked him at gunpoint.
The man had amputations and was left stranded in Brandywine without his phone, wallet, or crutches.
"The fact that he was armed in both of these assaults, you know, makes it very disturbing and heinous types of crimes to the police department," said Major Zachary O'Lare during a Thursday press conference.
Richardson was taken into custody of the Department of Corrections on Feb. 13, which is where he remains.
This arrest comes days after 24-year-old Wayne Anthony Robinson of Capitol Heights was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 2020 carjacking in Adelphi, Maryland.
Investigators say Robinson used the dating app Grindr to lure his victim.
If anyone has information concerning Richardson, they are asked to call Sexual Assault Unit detectives at 301-772-4908. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app.