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'Your Instinct To Survive Kicks In': Woman Escapes From Clutches Of Would-Be Kidnapper

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The Broward Sheriff's Office is on the hunt for a man wanted for the battery attempted kidnapping of a Deerfield Beach woman.

Ugly, dark bruises and numerous abrasions covered the arms of the 34-year-old Deerfield Beach woman five days after she escaped a violent would-be kidnapper. The victim spoke to members of the media Monday at the Broward Sheriff's Office.

"He, in very vulgar terms, told me to get into his car," the woman recalled.

The incident took place just after 3 p.m. on August 23. It was in the 4300 block of NW 1st Place, a street of well-kept, middle-class homes, that the victim was approached by the man.

He became furious when she didn't get into his car as ordered.

"He grabbed me by my arms and tried to force me toward the passenger side of the vehicle," she said. "I started screaming, and he got really angry and told me, again in vulgar terms, to shut up."

The man battered her arms and hit her repeatedly in the face. The woman whacked him in the groin with her umbrella, and he threw her to the ground and took off. All the time the victim felt totally on her own, despite screaming for help.

"I was yelling, and nobody came out of their houses, even where there were cars in the driveways no one came out," she said.

She feels fortunate to have been able to get away, to be alive.

"I think your instinct to survive kicks in at that point, and you do whatever it takes," she said

attempted kidnapping
Composite sketch of man wanted for battery and attempted kidnapping of a woman in Deerfield Beach. (BSO)

She worries for the next person, however, who encounters the man in his dark gray four-door Nissan Altima.

The violent crimes unit released a composite sketch of the man.

He is about 5 foot 9 inches tall, clean-cut with short hair and was wearing nice clothes, a gray shirt and tan cargo shorts. He may have a tattoo on his neck, possibly a snake or dragon.

Broward investigators think he may well live in the nice, West Deerfield area where the attack occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Larry Heath at 954-321-4719. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.

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