Cops Seeking Surfside Sex Abuse Suspect
SURFSIDE (CBSMiami) - Police have released a photo of a man wanted for questioning in connection to a sexual assault in Surfside. Authorities would like to talk to 25-year-old Shawn Andrews about the July 2nd incident
Surfside Police Sgt. Jay Matelis says they have probable cause to arrest Andrews for sexual battery.
"We need to get this guy off the street," Sgt. Matelis said as he held up a flyer with Andrews' picture.
Police say a woman was walking in the 8900 block of Collins Avenue July 2nd when a man approached her. Police say the man grabbed her by the waist, stuffed a rag in her mouth and dragged her to a nearby alley where she was sexually assaulted.
Authorities were were handing out a sketch of a possible suspect all week, and Saturday they started handing out flyer's with photos of Andrews and his two tattoos.
"We've been passing them out, putting them at the Publix," Sgt. Matelis said. "We put them at the community center. Sent them out through email. Officers have been distributing them."
Police say Andrews is homeless, but is known to visit the Miami Beach and Surfside area.
"Down in Miami Beach there's a park and a lot of homeless people hang out in that area," resident Norma Parron said. "We see a lot of them walk through our streets."
But Parron adds she's never felt threatened. She's confident police will close this case soon.
"It's an isolated incident that never happened here before. It's a very safe city," Parron said. "I've lived here 16 years and we have never had any problem."
Police are asking for the community's help in locating Andrews. If you have any information on his whereabouts, contact Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
