FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for the man they believe is behind two violent robberies in Fort Lauderdale.
Surveillance video showed a woman getting out of a car. Then you see a scooter driving through the parking lot.
“In both of these incidents, the victims are women alone,” said Casey Liening of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Video of one of the attacks on June 12 was released by police. It showed the man assaulting a woman who was walking along the 3200 block of Davie Boulevard, at around 5 a.m.
The man walked up to the woman with a gun and demanded she give him her purse. He is then seen punching her repeatedly as he held her on the ground.
“I am afraid. Really, really afraid,” said the victim, who did not want to be identified.
She said she has been in the United States for two and a half months. She also said she tried fighting back and protecting her purse because inside it carried her passport.
The victim thought she felt like she died that day. She does not remember how many times the man hit her.
“[Inaudible] hit my head [inaudible] with the gun,” said the victim, “and he said to me, ‘Give me your bag [expletive].'”
The victim believes the stranger attacked her first to rob her and secondly because of her background. She still has stitches on her face and continues to heal.
“He violently attacked the victim. He beat her with the firearm. He kicked her. He punched her. He dragged her,” said Liening.
Police said this man is also behind another violent robbery that took place May 29, at the 1700 block of Southwest 35th Avenue around 8:45 a.m. He reportedly robbed another woman of her necklace and hit her.
“In the first incident, he took her necklace off of her neck forcefully,” said Liening.
Officials released a sketch of the man they believe is responsible. He reportedly took off on a red scooter.
“We are fearful that there is gonna be another victim and that he could potentially continue to escalate his actions,” said Liening.
If you have any information on these violent robberies, 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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