ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County deputies are looking for a man who is accused of pushing his way into an apartment and attempting to sexually assault a woman on Sunday evening.
A sketch of the assailant, described by deputies as a white or Hispanic man in his 20s or 30s, was released Monday, and deputies are seeking the public’s help in finding him.
Deputies said the man pushed his way into the apartment inside the Mercury 3100 complex near Lokanotosa Trail and Alafaya Club Drive, not far from the University of Central Florida.
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In surveillance video posted online by the sheriff’s office, the man can be seen running from a stairwell to a hallway before running back toward the stairwell a few seconds later.
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Orange County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Brandon Reagan said it’s believed the man was lingering in the area before following the woman, who was walking home from dinner, up to her apartment.
The man tried to sexually attack the woman, but she and a roommate “helped chase him away,” deputies said.
“I think it’s important to remember that there are cameras everywhere in this day and age and if you are a suspect or a perpetrator in Orange County looking to victimize our citizens, we will find you,” Reagan said. “It’s important to remember that this survivor did everything right. She was on the phone with a friend at the time -- she had a roommate -- she screamed for help.”
A woman who lives in the apartments described learning of the attack as “scary.”
“I have the chills. It’s scary to think she was in her apartment. He went to her safe place. Where is she going to run to now? She’s not going to feel safe there anymore,” said resident Maria Juliao.
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ALERT: This man followed a woman, pushed his way into an apartment near Lokanotosa Trail & Alafaya Club Drive and attempted to sexually attack her late Sunday night. She fought back and an alert roommate helped chase him away. Please look at this video of the suspect fleeing and… pic.twitter.com/xUCXmGuiJK
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) November 27, 2023
“That’s literally why I was concerned. I was like this would be the perfect time for somebody to try and come do something because it’s normally busy and if they know that nobody is here, then something could happen. And look something did happen,” student Alansa Altidor said.
Deputies ask anyone who recognizes the man to call 911, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 407-836-4357 or Crimeline at 800-436-8477.
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