A shoplifting scheme turned into the violent kidnapping and rape of a Baltimore couple, and now investigators need your help tracking down three suspects.
Back in March 2023, investigators say a woman ran into a Baltimore Police station in south Baltimore and told officers she had been raped and just escaped her captors.
“There came a point where she realized she could escape,” said Al Maresca, Deputy Marshal with the US Marshals Service.
The woman, investigators say, took officers back three days to when she admits she and her boyfriend agreed to take part in a shoplifting scheme with three other men.
Police later identified one of the suspects as Donald Joseph Bloom Jr. or ‘DJ’
The other two suspects are only known as ‘Sunny’ and ‘Bubba,’ according to court records.
“They went to multiple different venues and participated in shoplifting events,” said Maresca.
But after dividing up the proceeds, investigators say the woman tells police she overheard the three men conspiring to turn against the couple, and steal her boyfriend’s car.
“She realizes that the conspiracy was going to take place and so the female decides that she is going to do whatever she needs to do to survive,” said Maresca.
That meant pretending she and her boyfriend had broken up, investigators say.
But her story was not enough.
“As soon as the boyfriend comes home he’s attacked,” said Maresca.
The men, investigators say, viciously beat up the woman’s boyfriend.
“The boyfriend was gagged, tied up and beaten and left unconscious,” said Maresca.
Their attention then switches to the woman, she says.
Investigators say the suspects forced the woman upstairs where one of the men began to sexually assault her.
Furthermore, investigators say the suspects then drag the boyfriend to the upper floor where he’s forced to watch the rape while ‘DJ’ records it.
“The individual identified as DJ in this case. Mr. Bloom allegedly videotaped the victim being sexually assaulted,” said Maresca. “While being forced to watch this crime take place DJ and his other co-conspirators continued to assault the male victim. In fact DJ allegedly cut the victim’s feet before again assaulting him.”
The suspects, investigators say, then kidnapped the woman in her boyfriend’s car and forced her to drive to other locations to continue the original shoplifting scheme.
“They carried out their conspiracy. They took the female victim and continued their crime spree,” said Maresca.
Finally, while stopped at a gas station, investigators say the woman saw an opportunity to escape and drove straight to police.
“As soon as the three male suspects got out of the car she fled the scene,” said Maresca.
Investigators say the boyfriend also managed to free himself and get help.
As for the suspects, all three remain at large.
Two of the suspects known as Sunny and Bubba have yet to be identified, investigators say.
“Not only is Mr. Bloom on the run but there are two further unidentified individuals out there,” said Maresca.
Investigators say Bloom is wanted for crimes in Louden, Virginia, and is also known to frequent south Baltimore’s Brooklyn Park, Pasadena, Maryland, and parts of Pennsylvania.
“Any individual who would either participate in a rape or be there and record it is obviously dangerous and not in their right mind,” said Maresca. “Individuals like this need to be taken off the street.”
Blooms stands at about 6’0” and weighs approximately 160 pounds.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Bloom or the identities/whereabouts of Sunny and Bubba you’re asked to contact the US Marshals Service.
The tip line number is 1-877-WANTED-2. Agents can be contacted directly at 202-819-5058.