Deputies: Victim escapes attempted sexual assault behind Bradenton home, suspect at large

BRADENTON, Fla. - Manatee deputies are searching for a man accused holding a knife to a woman’s throat before attempting to sexually assault her behind a Bradenton home overnight Thursday.

The victim left a home on the 5900 block of 11 ^th Street East to walk home when she saw 39-year-old Mike Hope at 57 ^th Ave Ter E and 10 ^th Street.

The victim said Hope approached her, put his hand over her mouth and a knife to her throat.

He allegedly told her not to scream “or I’ll kill you.”

She said Hope forced her behind a house, located at 1017 57 ^th Ave Ter E, and threw her two the ground.

Hope reportedly tried to put his hand down her pants, and then he stopped. The victim got up, Hope put the knife away and they both walked their separate ways.

Hope couldn’t be found, officials are continuing to investigate the attack.