COCOA BEACH, Fla. – A man was arrested Tuesday after attacking and trying to rape a woman in a bathroom at Lori Wilson Park, according to the Cocoa Beach Police Department.
William Edward Russell, 31, faces several charges, including attempted sexual battery.
According to Sgt. Tom Cooper, Russell went up to the victim in the bathroom around 9:45 a.m. and told her he had a gun.
“At that point, the victim immediately began screaming,” Cooper said. “The suspect grabbed her by the throat, threw her to the ground, attempted to remove her bathing suit.”
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Russell then pushed her to the ground and took off her bathing suit, according to police. The suspect ran out of the bathroom once he heard a man’s voice from outside and was met by the woman’s boyfriend and a park employee, according to the affidavit.
The victim’s boyfriend tried to hold Russell while 911 was called, but the suspect was able to free himself and ran away, the department said.
Misty McMillen was at the dog park at Lori Wilson during the attack.
“Two gentlemen actually grabbed the suspect and he managed to get away from them,” she said.
McMillen said she watched police search for Russell as he hid at the old International Palms hotel that’s being demolished.
He was arrested once found by Brevard County deputies in Cape Canaveral.
Russell told authorities he was in the bathroom with the victim but claimed she choked herself.
The suspect faced Judge Michelle Baker at the Brevard County jail on Wednesday and was denied bond.
“I agree with the state that at this point, Mr. Russell is a danger to the community,” Baker said.
Assistant state attorney Donald Loughran added that the case was “really frightening.”
Furthermore, Baker noted Russell was released from prison last month and records also show he walked out of the Brevard jail just last week.
In his previous arrest, a woman reported Russell followed her while she was walking her dog.
News 6 has asked the state attorney’s office why the prowling charge in that case was dropped and will provide an update when we receive a response.
“It’s just kind of scary. If we could just get some more patrolling or even cameras,” said McMillen, of the attacks.
Cooper and Cocoa Beach Mayor Ben Malik both agree cameras would be a good idea and help with the investigation, but since Lori Wilson is a county park, county officials must approve to have them installed.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Cocoa Beach Police Department at 321-868-3251.
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