By Licec Bastian
Journal Staff Writer

Sex offender Sidney Cooper is in protective custody after residents in the Coconut
Grove area descended at his residence on Fifth Street with weapons in hand following
reports of a 12-year-old girl almost being abducted in the Coconut Grove area last
Thursday.
A video circulating social media showed where Cooper was seen purportedly being
arrested and escorted to a police vehicle by a police inspector. But it was not what it
seemed as police confirmed shortly after the video that he was escorted from his
residence without incident.
In the video, recorded by a male resident of Coconut Grove, is heard in the
background spewing derogatory comments at Cooper, as he alleges that Cooper, who
was only just released from the Bahamas Department of Corrections this past Friday
and added to the Sex Offender Registry, was presumed responsible for an incident that
occurred Thursday morning.
Police however, confirmed with reporters that for his safety, Cooper was taken from
his residence, escorted by police following suggestions that he may have been
responsible for the alleged attempted abduction.
Police are, in fact, seeking the public’s assistance in locating a tall, bald headed, bright
male, who attempted to abduct the child.
“Preliminary reports indicate that shortly before 9:00 a.m. the child was walking on
Fourth Street, Coconut Grove when she was approached by the male, who was
wearing a blue hooded jacket.
“Residents, assuming the culprit was Sidney Cooper converged at his residence on
Fifth Street, Coconut Grove, armed with rocks, bottles and cutlass,” a police reported
stated.
Police said the perpetrator involved is NOT Sidney Cooper.

Police are aggressively searching for suspect and are requesting members of the
public to remain vigilant and on the alert.
Additionally, if the suspect is seen, you may contact the Grove Police Station at 325-
8431/2, the Southern Police Station at 322-3337/323-8270/3560228 or
CRIMESTOPPERS @328-TIPS.