Three Underage Girls Attacked Days Apart In Pompano Beach
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POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) – For the third time in less than a week there is a report of an attack on an underage girl in Pompano Beach.
The victims are two teenagers and one five year old.
According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, there is no serial attacker at large. Investigators say three different men are responsible for the attacks that targeted these victims.
The first attack took place last Wednesday when a man tried to kidnap a 13-year old girl.
The Broward Sheriff's Office says the teen was walking home from school along NE 14th Ave. and 4th St. when the would-be kidnapper pulled up in a tan SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer seen in surveillance video.
The man asked the girl where she was going. But she ignored him and kept walking. Then, in what BSO calls a "bold move", the man got out of his SUV, grabbed the girl by her waist and tried shoving her inside. But the 13-year old fought back.
"He asked me if I was on my home," the teen told CBS 4 News. "I ignored him and kept walking. (Then) he got out of his car and grabbed me."
But the girl was able to escape.
This all happened right across from Pompano Beach High, one of several nearby schools. In fact, it is in front of a child daycare across the street from the high school where surveillance video recorded the girl running away, the SUV chasing her.
Investigators say the man they are looking for is thin with reddish-brown hair, possibly in his late 40s, early 50s.
"If it does happen and someone does grab you, just keep fighting them off and don't give up," the girl said. "Even if you get tired, don't give up."
If you know or saw anything, give Broward Crime Stoppers a call at 954-493-TIPS.
The second attack took place on Saturday when Michael Walton Jr., 33, attempted to kidnap a 17-year old girl, according to BSO.
The arrest report states that Walton exited his vehicle holding a pair of scissors and a black shirt and approached the girl. He demanded that she get in his vehicle and attempted to place the shirt around her head and drag her to the car when she refused.
The victim managed to knock the scissors out of Walton's hand but he grabbed her by the hair and continued to pull her towards his vehicle.
She managed to get away and hide in nearby bushes between NW 3rd Street and NW 2nd Avenue until a BSO deputy made contact. During the struggle Walton struck the victim several times in the stomach area with a closed fist, slammed her to the ground and choked her until she felt like she was going to lose consciousness.
The victim positively identified Walton shortly after the incident. He's charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, aggravated battery and attempted kidnapping.
The third attack happened on Sunday.
Lamont Mayweather, 29, is accused of sexually assaulting a 5-year old girl in the laundry room of her apartment complex.
According to BSO, Mayweather tried to lure the girl with candy.
When that proved to be unsuccessful, he asked her to come to where he was standing inside the laundry room.
It was at that time that he assaulted the child, investigators say.
Mayweather told her not to tell anyone but she immediately went to her brother and told him what happened.
According to the arrest report, detectives determined that Mayweather wasn't a resident of the apartment complex and that he was seen offering candy to other children in the area.
He is currently being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail.
Even though BSO says these 3 incidents are unrelated and it's purely coincidental that they all occurred in Pompano, investigators say there are lessons for all parents and kids to take away.
"What we do ask is that people stay vigilant," said Joy Oglesby, BSO Spokesperson. "That they're aware of their surroundings. When they can, they walk in groups and that goes for children and adults alike."