BSO: Woman Sexually Assaulted Outside Lauderdale Lakes Bank
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A half dozen detectives from the Broward Sheriffs Office fanned out on a busy stretch of State Road 7 Wednesday afternoon passing out flyers and alerting residents about two men who violently raped and robbed a 48-year-old woman last week.
BSO also released surveillance tape of the men who were captured on camera after the incident. In one instance, a man is seen running while another person on a bicycle follows him.
Detectives say the incident happened in darkness at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 9th. The victim told detectives she was walking northbound on State Road 7 to meet a co-worker who normally gives her a ride to work.
Suddenly, she said, in the 2400 block of State Road 7 when she stopped at their meeting place at One United Bank, two men approached her. One was on a bicycle; the other was on foot.
Investigators said the victim, who primarily speaks Creole, said she was attacked by two black males. One was short and the other was tall.
She said both were dressed all in black, wearing black hoodie type shirts and black pants. She could not say what age they were or describe any more of their features.
According to a BSO incident report, one suspect pulled a grey handgun and forced her to the drive thru teller area on the northeast side of the bank where there are numerous trees and bushes.
The second suspect choked her, struck her and forced her to the ground.
After the rape, BSO said the suspects fled with the victim's black, brick style Metro PCS phone and her purse that contained three social security cards, three passports and three resident alien cards. An FPL bill and keys to the victim's apartment were also in the purse.
BSO spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "We're hoping that these two pieces of video will jog someone's memory and perhaps it will be someone who was there that morning. I can tell you that this was a particularly brutal crime and that's why we are appealing for the public's help to catch these two guys."
Neighbors hope that will happen.
"I hope they get them, that's important," said worried neighbor Beverly Lawrence. "I feel bad about the situation. It's a shame. People should be able to walk wherever they want to."
Another worried neighbor, Gladjina Louisenor, told CBS4, "Most likely I feel bad because I'm a young lady and this could happen to anybody. Yes, I will be more careful."
"I feel bad about what happened," added another concerned neighbor, Shayna Perry. "I think it's important for women to be more assertive and cautious and in general be aware of their surroundings."
Concepcion told D'Oench that she was not sure if the suspects could be tied to any other crimes.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Broward Crimestoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or contact BSO Special Victims Unit Detective Sandra Haye-Roberts at (954) 321-4240.
