Woman Sexually Assaulted In Store Parking Lot

ESCAMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE

Suspect Sought in Sexual Encounter

"At approximately 7:00 A.M this morning Escambia Deputies responded to the Publix Shopping Center at 9 Mile Rd and University Drive in reference to an assault call. Upon arrival, a female (victim) stated she had parked her vehicle on the side of the building and before she could exit her car a white male, described as approximately 6’0” tall with a thin build, between 30 and 40 years old, red or strawberry shoulder length hair wearing only a t-shirt walked up to her vehicle and opened the door and grabbed her arm. The victim stated the suspect pulled her toward him as if trying to get her to touch him. The victim pulled away and kicked at the suspect who left in what was described as a gray or silver 4 door Saturn, possibly a 2005/2006 model. A witness to the story described the same events and added that the suspect had pulled up and parked directly behind the victim as soon as she parked. Deputies got a possible tag on the vehicle and are following up on the case as this press release is being issued. The University of West Florida Police were notified of the incident due to the proximity to the campus and then issued an “Argo Alert” to student and faculty who have signed up for the service. An E-mail was also sent out to students and faculty."

This Press release can be viewed from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Website.