Man accused of raping woman in Thornton Park arrested in South Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. - A suspected rapist is now in custody after authorities tracked him down more than 100 miles away.

Orlando police said the suspect had a known address in West Palm Beach. So US Marshall’s knocked on the door and arrested 36-year-old James Calixte. 

They handcuffed him less than two weeks after police said he attacked a woman in Thornton Park.

Calixte is accused of grabbing the woman outside her home on Jefferson Street, taking her to the side of her house and raping her.

“This is just the next step in the healing process for our victim,” said Sgt. Charles Crosby, the SVU supervisor for the Orlando Police Department. 

Police said he has a history of violence, even a similar incident in West Palm Beach.

“He has family in the area, which is more than likely why he was down and located there,” Crosby said. 

As for why he was in Thornton Park that October day, that is still part of the investigation.

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“He has been a transient in the Orlando area,” Crosby said. “As you know they can pretty much go wherever they want to.”

OPD said they credit the suspects capture not only to multiple law enforcement agencies, but to the vigilant community.

“It takes everyone working together in order to achieve quick action,” Chief Orlando Rolon said. 

Neighbors still on edge said they will continue to look out for each other.

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“We’re all keeping an eye out,” Cassidy Temple said. “You know some of us have kids, some of us walk our dogs, some of us are elderly, so yeah we've all been watching.”

The suspect’s extradition to Orange County from west palm beach is still pending. Then he will go before a judge to face his charges.