FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police on Thursday released a sketch of a man who, they said, carjacked, kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman, as their search continues.
The incident occurred near the 100 block of Southwest Second Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale, just before 5:25 a.m., Saturday.
Police describe the man as dangerous, armed and on the run.
“I would say it’s very brazen, I would say that he was not afraid of the situation,” said FLPD Detective Jennifer Saint Jean.
Investigators said the subject was captured on surveillance video dressed in a green shirt and carrying a gun.
According to authorities, a man and a woman were sitting inside a parked vehicle when the subject, armed with a firearm, jumped in the back seat of their car and forced them to drive east on Broward Boulevard. The male suspect demanded the possessions of the male victim.
At some point, the male victim jumped out of the car and ran away, while the woman remained in the passenger seat as the subject.
“Well, the car was still in drive, and they did slowly crash into a pole,” said Saint Jean.
“And he’s screaming at the car, at the girl, telling her to ‘get out, get out of the car,'” said witness Donato Pionegro, who works nearby. “Apparently she didn’t get out of the car, and all of a sudden, the car backs up, you hear the guy screaming, and the car takes off.”
Throughout the encounter, authorities said, the suspect forced the victim to accompany him to several ATMs, looking to withdraw funds from her account.
The victim was also sexually assaulted by the suspect, according to authorities.
“The ordeal went approximately two hours, and it was an ordeal for her, to say the least,” said Saint Jean.
Authorities said the subject left the car along Interstate 95 near Oakland Park Boulevard.
Police determined the subject fled on foot prior to the officers’ arrival.
The woman, meanwhile, called 911.
The suspect is described as a Black male, who was last seen wearing a green T-shirt with light-colored lettering on both the front and back, alongside ripped acid-washed jeans and sneakers featuring yellow shoestrings. He also has short dreadlocked hair and was wearing a dark-colored bucket hat at the time of the incident.
Detectives hope the sketch gives them more leads.
“It was violent in nature, and because of that, we want any information that we can get on this individual to get him off the streets,” said Saint Jean.
If you have any information on this incident or the subject’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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