HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - A teen endured a horrifying experience after a man allegedly sexually attacked her as she was walking home in Hollywood.
Hollywood Police said the suspect approached the 16-year-old girl near Dewey Street and South 29th Avenue, and began harassing her while making sexually explicit comments at around 7:30 p.m., Monday.
“He made a comment as in, ‘You’re so pretty, I’ll F the hell out of you,'” the victim said. “I got on my grass, and he got off his bike, and I had on a skirt, and he tried to put his hands on my butt, so I slapped his hands, and I tried to run in my house. As I was running, he pushed himself onto me and tried to sexually attack me. ”
The victim said she defended herself by kicking him in the groin before successfully making it in the home and locking the door.
“That restrained him from touching me,” she said.
“What this girl did was very courageous. She fought the guy off, and she was able to get safe, and that’s what saved her,” said Hollywood Police Officer Christian Lata.
Surveillance video captured the suspect riding away on a black bicycle.
“He told me he was going to come back the next day, and the next day I was so scared that I didn’t even go to school,” the victim said.
Police are now working to catch the suspect.
“This is a high priority for us, of course,” said Lata.
Meanwhile, the victim shared some advice to those caught in the same situation.
“I would say don’t be scared, even though you are but just don’t be scared,” she said. “At least try to fight him off, and if you can’t, it’s OK.”
If you have any information on the suspect’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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