Naked rape suspect denied bail after Melbourne standoff

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A judge denied bail Saturday to a Palm Bay man accused of attempted sexual battery who staged an hourslong standoff with police in Melbourne.

Joseph Brooks, 34, is charged with sexual battery as well as aggravated battery and assault, according to Brevard County jail booking information.

After the standoff with police in Melbourne Friday, Brooks was taken into custody at a home on Eau Gallie Boulevard.

When the man exited the residence, he was completely naked, witnesses said.

“After a final warning for him to give up, he came out, butt naked,” witness Kate VanCleef said.

Police went to the home about 1 p.m. after a woman ran out screaming and begging for help.

“(She) came screaming somebody was raping her,” one neighbor said. “She came in all frantic, saying he was beating her, he has a gun, that he was coming to kill her.”

Brooks barricaded himself inside the home and refused to communicate with police, officials said.

The West Melbourne Police Department SWAT team arrived at the home and fired several rounds of tear gas, but the man continued to refuse to communicate, investigators said.

“When we could not make contact with him, we made entry into the residence, used some tear gas, and he came out peacefully, which we are very, very happy about,” Lt. Cheryl Trainer, Melbourne Police Department spokeswoman, said.

The woman was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Cox Media Group