EUSTIS, Florida—The man who grabbed a woman, groped her and threw her to the ground before trying to run over a Eustis Police officer is believed to be responsible for two attacks in April, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect, described as a black male, late teens to early 20s, approximately 6 feet tall, with a thin build and wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, grabbed a woman jogging on Morningview Drive near Eustis High School, groped her and threw her to the ground. She was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.
It is unclear who called in the attack, but two officers responded to the call and the suspect attempted to run an officer over just after he exited his patrol unit. The officer opened fire on the black, early 2000s Cadillac Escalade EXT; it is unknown if the suspect was struck by gunfire. The officer was not injured and is on paid administrative leave—department policy—while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement completes its investigation, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. EPD released body cam footage of the shooting Wednesday afternoon.
The Escalade EXT fled the scene and struck a grey Nissan sedan causing heavy damage to the car and police believe the Escalade suffered extensive damage as well, Fahning said. The suspect escaped.
EPD has followed up on numerous leads and is looking for the man they suspect is responsible, and when he is captured he will be facing a “slew of charges,” Fahning said. The department is also offering a $5,000 reward in the case.
In April, a woman was jogging northbound on Country Club Road midmorning when the man came up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug” and thrust his hips into her in an aggressive and sexual manner, Fahning told Inside Lake in April.
The victim hit the unidentified man with a water bottle, and he fled southbound on Country Club Road. The woman was not injured, Fahning said. That suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing all black, including a black hoodie and a black and blue mask—very similar to the man who attacked the woman Tuesday night. Several days later, the man attempted to attack another female jogger, but she was able to get away.
EPD is asking anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle to call EPD at 352-357-4121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS; Crimeline callers may be eligible for a reward.
Previous stories
Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night
Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning
