Attempted abduction of 2 women in Pointe West leads to calls for caution from law enforcement
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY − Two women escaped what authorities said were separate abduction attempts by a man wearing a mask, and, in one instance, armed with a knife, as they were walking at night in a golf course community west of Vero Beach.
The attacks were reported just after 10 p.m. July 2 and 12 a.m. July 7 in the Pointe West development off 16th Street south of State Road 60 and east of Interstate 95, a law enforcement official said.
“You’ll see an increased presence there by deputies,” said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski. “We encourage everybody in the residence to stay vigilant (and) report any suspicious activity.”
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Residents were also encouraged to walk with a partner or in a group if outside at night.
He said it was, “too early to say any kind of motive behind it.”
Camera footage released by the agency Monday shows what was said to be the suspect, wearing a black beanie, a white and gray long sleeve shirt, and gray pants with reflective stripes. As he walks on a sidewalk, he looks over each shoulder behind him and appears to adjust a light-colored face covering.
In details of the accounts, Jaworski said, just after 12 a.m. Sunday, a woman was walking her dog when she was grabbed.
“(He) came up behind her and tried to pull her away,” Jaworski said. “She was able to fight him off and get into her house and call 911.”
A few days earlier on July 2, a woman reported she was also alone when she was approached “by a masked man with a knife.” She ran, and called law enforcement.
Both women were uninjured, Jaworski said.
Detectives are seeking more surveillance footage from homes in the area which might have captured the man’s movements before and after the attacks.
Knowing where he went after the attacks or his travels beforehand could help determine a possible motive, Jaworski said.
Anyone with information or camera footage was asked to call detectives at 772-978-6240.
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Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Follow @coreyarwood on X, email corey.arwood@tcpalm.com or call 772-978-2246.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: IRCSO: Caution urged after 2 women attacked in abduction attempts
