Sunrise Police Working To Catch Man Who Beat, Sexually Battered Woman
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami) – Sunrise Police are searching for the man who attacked a 60-year-old woman walking alone on Monday morning near Oakland Park Boulevard and Pine Island Road.
According to police, the victim told investigators that the man grabbed her from behind, placed her in a chokehold, forced her into the bushes and punched her in the face.
She said the man sexually battered her and then left with her cellphone.
CBS4's Carey Codd was told the woman suffered serious damage to her eye and injuries to her face.
Police said they are doing all they can to catch her attacker.
"We are out here and we are gonna find this guy," said Officer Chris Piper.
Detectives went door-to-door throughout the neighborhood today. They are looking for anyone who might have seen this attacker and they are also trying to find surveillance video that might have captured him in the area.
The victim described the attacker as being between 30 and 40 years old with a medium complexion and dark hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt, long black pants with tennis shoes and eyeglasses.
Jose Colon lives with his family and grandchildren a short distance from where the attack happened. He said he saw detectives searching for evidence in the bushes on Monday.
"This is getting crazy," he said. "Every day we have be aware on who's around, who's new around. I've been here 22 years and I've never seen anything like this before."
The attack occurred just on the other side of the fence from the Cypress Preserve Park, which features a walking trail and a water park for kids.
Nicole Solorzano has lived here her whole life and feels safe. She plans on being more aware of her surroundings.
"We usually do laps around this whole neighborhood," she said. "For something like that to happen at 6 in the morning shows that it could happen at any time."
That's what worries Paul Ceparano. He says his family is changing their routine to make sure adults and kids are protected. He wants the attacked found quickly and locked up.
"This is a family neighborhood," Ceparano said. "Lot of kids. It's nerve-wracking. We don't want to live like this."
If you can help investigators solve this case, contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
