SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find a man who they say entered a screened patio of a home in The Crossings subdivision near Lake Mary Friday night.
The homeowner called 911 just before 11 p.m. and told dispatch they caught the man prowling around their property.
News 6 reporter Catherine Silver spoke to the homeowner who did not want to share his name Tuesday. He says he was hanging out with his wife and their baby on their back patio when they spotted the man in the dark.
“He was kind of crouching and leaning, and moving slowly towards us, coming towards us,” said the homeowner. “I yelled out, ‘What’s that?’ or ‘Who are you?’ Something like that, and then my wife spotted him and she yelled loudly.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Once they noticed the man in their backyard they say he ran towards them.
“So, we kind of rushed inside the house, and in that split second he was inside our porch and he opened the porch door,” the homeowner said.
The homeowner says his instincts took over and he grabbed his phone and snapped a picture of the man. The sheriff’s office later shared the photo online, asking people to give them a call if they recognize the person.
**Attempt to Identify**
— Seminole County S.O. (@SeminoleSO) August 21, 2023
Around 11:00 p.m. Friday, this shirtless man entered a screened patio of a home in the area of Lake Way Rd. and Lake Park Dr. in unincorporated Lake Mary. The victims took this photo before he ran out. If you have information, please call (407)665-6650. pic.twitter.com/hQg3OHwkF3
A report obtained by News 6 shows deputies searched the area near Lake Way Road and Lake Park Drive Friday night but did not find him.
A spokesperson with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says they have heard from several people who claim they saw the same suspect that night.
“I’m hoping that other people reach out,” said the homeowner. “We did hear from other neighbors that he tried to get in their back door.”
The sheriff’s office says they do not know what the man’s motive may have been when approaching homes, but they are following several leads to find him.
The homeowner who took a picture of him Friday night says he does not know what his intentions were, but he feared for his life and his family when the suspect rushed towards them.
“He ran at us, like charged,” said the homeowner. “When you see someone creeping around your yard, and when you yell at him, he runs towards you, that’s a hostile intent.”
If you recognize the suspect or have any information, you should contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at (407)665-6650.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: