PALMETTO BAY, Fla. (WSVN) – Police continue to search for a man who attempted to sexually assault a woman in Palmetto Bay.
On Monday, Miami-Dade Police officers went door to door talking to residents and passing out flyers in hopes of finding out information about a man who, police said, is armed and dangerous.
On Wednesday, the 30-year-old victim told officers she was walking near Southwest 168th Street and 91st Avenue to pick up her child from school at around 10:30 a.m. when the man approached her armed with a knife.
The woman said the assailant dragged her into a field where he tried to sexually assault her before she was able to escape.
“We take any crime serious, but something like this is completely unacceptable,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Argemis Colome.
Police later released a sketch of the man they are searching for.
“What the victim described to our detectives and our forensic artist is that it was a Black male, thin build, tall, and he was wearing black from head to toe, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, and on top of that, he was wearing a ski mask, black as well,” Colome said.
According to police, the victim was walking alone to pick up her child from school when a man jumped out of a wooded area and threatened her with a weapon.
“He started dragging her in with a knife and attempted to remove her shirt,” Colome said.
She was able to fight back and get away from her attacker.
“She escaped from the scene and went to the police station, where she reported the incident,” Colome said.
Other parents who were picking up their children from Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts said they couldn’t believe the attack happened so close to home.
“It’s very scary, especially with having daughters,” said parent Angelica Sweeting.
“It’s scary because it’s in the middle of the day, it’s in the middle of the neighborhood where my child goes to school,” said parent Claudia Fernandez.
Detectives said they’re working non-stop to find the man responsible, but they need the public’s help.
“Our department is using all its resources. However, the community is our eyes and ears out there, so anyone who has any information, please call. Remember, you can remain anonymous but call our Crime Stoppers. We definitely need any information you may have.”
If you have any information on this incident or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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