Police ask for public's help to find man who tried to abduct woman in Miami during attack caught on camera
MIAMI -- Police on Friday asked for the public's help to find a man who tried to abduct a woman out walking in Miami, an incident that was caught on surveillance camera.
Investigators released footage from the incident, which occurred in the area of NW 19th Avenue and NW 4th Street.
Police said the woman in her early 40s was walking north on 19th Avenue as a man she didn't know was walking east on 4th Street while talking to someone in Spanish.
According to a written statement by police, the man grabbed the woman from the rear by the neck and put her in a choke hold.
The woman began to scream and bit the arm of the man as the two struggled.
A resident who heard the commotion came outside, which led the man to run from the scene.
We spoke with the neighbor, Allan Rivera, who tells CBS4 he was sound asleep and woke up hearing the victim's screams.
He said he went to his front door and saw the man choking the victim before he went outside.
He called the incident ugly and horrible.
Police said the woman suffered minor injuries during the attack.
The suspect was described as being 5-feet-7 with a medium build.
He was last seen wearing a long dark-colored shirt, shorts, construction boots, and a hat.
Detectives work to determine if the two recent attempted abductions in Miami connect back to the same suspect.
Right now, they tell us it's too early to tell if they're related.
The other attempt happened in early November in the area of the 2200 block of S.W. 24 Street.
"We want people to look at the case," said Kenia Fallat, Miami PD spokesperson. "Look at the videos."It's to find the suspect or suspects and to inform the public." They shouldn't be alarmed, but they should be very vigilant," said Fallat.
"If you do recognize someone, as seen in this video, please give us a call."Police share both women that were attacked are physically ok but frightened.
"This is very scary," added Fallat.
"Attempted to be abducted, and that is most definitely very scary and frightening."
Anyone with information was asked to call police at 305-603-6370.