Watch CBS News

Cool Weather Gives Entry For Coral Springs Attacker

CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) – Police have a 19-year-old in custody who they say admitted to committing a home invasion and sexual assault that was caught on tape, because the victim called 911 and left the line open during the attack.

That assault happened in the 2300 block of 95th avenue in Coral Springs, where the 25-year-old victim was at home alone with a newborn baby.

Coral Springs police told CBS4′s Natalia Zea that the victim apparently had left a window or door open to take advantage of the cool weather when the suspect used it to break in, looking to steal something.

The suspect, who police say confessed to the crime, apparently didn't know anyone was home, and was startled by the victim.

Police said the suspect attacked the woman, but the victim was able to call 911 at some point, and the connection was not broken during the attack.

The 911 operator could hear the attack in progress, and was able to trace the call to a nearby cell phone tower. Minutes later, once the attacker ran out of the house the victim called 911 from a landline and gave the exact address.

Because police were already close by, they quickly set up a perimeter, and in just over an hour took the 19-year-old man into custody. Officers said the suspect was hiding within the perimeter, just a block away from the house.

Police have not released the names of the alleged attacker or the victim. They said the newborn was in the house at the time of the attack, but could not say if it was in the same room. The newborn was not hurt.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.