Miami Beach Sexual Assault: Police Release Sketch

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Police officers were planning to canvas the neighborhood on Tuesday where a woman awoke Sunday morning to find a man exposing himself in her apartment and touching her.

"The Miami Beach PD composite sketch artist has been working with the victim throughout the day," explained Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Police Department in releasing a sketch of the suspect.

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Rodriguez told Patch that there does not appear to be a link between Sunday's incident and an incident in August 2015, involving the so-called Miami Beach "serial creeper."

"There are similarities however the MO of Sunday’s incident is vastly different," according to Rodriguez. "There is no direct connection at this time."

Patch was contacted by one nearby resident who said she was frightened by the news of Sunday's incident.

"Our main tips are to be cognizant of your surroundings, ensure doors and windows are locked," Rodriguez explained.

Watch the sketch artist at work:

Sunday's incident occurred around 6 a.m. in the vicinity of 83 Street and Crespi Boulevard, according to Rodriguez, who described the ordeal as "troubling. "The victim screamed for help and managed to get away from her attacker.

"She told police she woke to a man touching her pelvic area just above her genitals, underneath her underwear," said Rodriguez late Monday afternoon. "The subject had his penis exposed and was yelling to the victim for her to look."

Despite the commotion, the man initially refused to leave the woman's apartment.

"The victim then fled outside the apartment onto the street and began yelling for help," Rodriguez said. "The suspect fled the apartment in an unknown direction."

The woman later told police she had fallen asleep on the sofa, but had remembered to lock the front door. She also closed a bedroom window, but told police she left it unlocked. The window was found open when the woman returned to her apartment.

"The victim later noticed that the suspect took her iPhone and $52 during the incident," Rodriguez added.

The man was described as Caucasian, possibly Hispanic with a medium complexion. He was approximately 20 to 25 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, around 160 pounds with bulging eyes and dark circles. Police said the man had a thin build and was last seen wearing jeans and a dark hoodie without a shirt.

He is wanted for attempted sexual battery, 0ccupied burglary and grand theft, according to Miami Beach police.

Miami Beach police sketch