FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are seeking the public’s help to find a man who, they said, forced himself on an employee at a massage parlor in Fort Lauderdale.
According to investigators, the incident took place at Angel Day Spa, located off Davie Boulevard, just east of Andrews Avenue, Saturday afternoon.
“This is a violent offender who was physically overpowering a female,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Sgt. DeAnna Greenlaw.
“You wake up, you go to work. We’re in such difficult times, you know, and somebody comes and harasses you, assaults you or tries to sexually assault you. That’s horrible,” said area resident Virginia Baez.
The business has handed over the surveillance video to detectives.
“This suspect clearly had a plan … He did not hesitate. He did not pause,” said Greenlaw.
Investigators said the subject knocked on the door, and once he got inside, he asked about the prices of their services.
It was at that moment when detectives said, he exposed himself to the victim, who was working the front desk.
“She runs to the back of the business to attempt to retrieve a phone to call 911. He chases her to the back of the business,” said Greenlaw.
Surveillance video shows the employee running back toward the front of the spa with the subject right behind her.
“He grabs her, throws her on the ground and attempts to sexually batter her,” said Greenlaw. “She fought her way through. She never stopped fighting. She is profusely screaming.”
Police said the assailant eventually stopped and left the business.
“I can’t even imagine what this poor girl was put through, and what she must be even thinking and feeling right now,” said Baez.
It is especially disturbing to the people who enjoy this neighborhood tucked away in Fort Lauderdale.
“It is disgusting that it happened right there, and that it’s so close to children, families, people who are just trying to go on their daily lives,” said area resident Drew Gaddis.
Now police are looking for the community’s help in finding this man they described as dangerous.
“He knew exactly what he was going to do. He was determined to victimize this woman in a certain manner,” said Greenlaw.
Police have canvassed the nearby neighborhood, handing out flyers in the hopes that someone will help them catch the man.
Police said the man is between 25 and 35 years old and stands about 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with dark hair and a full beard. He was last seen wearing black baseball cap with a Marlins logo, a black T-shirt, black Air Jordan sweatpants and a mask with white Louis Vuitton monograms all over.
“These are some of the more dangerous and violent offenders we do want to get off the street,” Officer Aryo Rezaie said. “As you can see in the video, he was definitively trying to overpower the victim, and we definitely want to take someone like him off the streets as soon as possible, so it takes an effort from us and the community because we don’t have all the resources and their resources can help us tremendously.”
If you have any information on this incident or the man’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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