A Waterbury man accused of raping a woman he met through a dating app in what authorities are calling a "horrific crime" appeared in court on Tuesday and the judge ordered him to stay away from the woman who filed the complaint.
The judge also ordered the man, Timothy, or "Timmy," Turner Jr., 26, to stay off social media sites where he could connect with her.
Police started investigating when a 22-year-old Massachusetts woman contacted them at 1:50 a.m. Monday to report that she’d been raped at a multi-family home on Edgewood Avenue in New Haven.
She told officers she’d met a man, later identified as Turner, through an app called “Tagged,” and he invited her over, according to police.
As Turner was leading the victim upstairs, he pulled out a gun and raped her on the second floor landing, the woman told police.
While the woman was on the phone with police, she told them she believed Turner was still in the building. Officers arrived to see Turner open a door on the third floor. He closed it when he saw police and stayed inside for a while before surrendering himself, according to police.
Police said Turner was visiting a relative at the home on Edgewood Avenue.
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Prosecutors are continuing to investigate and are looking into the statement the woman provided police.
Turner was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault in the first degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, threatening in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
He appeared in court on Tuesday, was released on a promise to appear and the judge said more needs to be investigated before the case moves forward.
Turner has no prior record, according to officials.
Authorities are warning residents of the potential dangers of dating apps.
"This is unfortunately something we're seeing a little bit more of," said New Haven police spokesman Officer David Hartman. "We don't blame the app or dating site itself, but they do become an avenue for criminals to meet their victims."
If you choose to meet up with someone from a dating app, go to a public place and make sure a friend or family member knows where you'll be. Whenever possible, have someone available to help if anything goes wrong.
"She was dropped off as if nothing could go wrong, and obviously, and unfortunately, something went terribly wrong," Hartman said.
Turner, who is being represented by a public defender, is due back in court on March 17.
