Polk County Deputies are searching for a man they say stalked, hit, choked and attempted to take the clothes off of a random woman while she was mowing her backyard.
Sheriff Grady Judd says the incident happened on July 14th. Judd says the woman fought back. She punched the man and was able to get away. The attacker also ran off.
The woman claims the man had been following her for up to four months. She reported him to deputies on one occasion, but he had not committed a crime and there was nothing deputies could do, according to Judd.
The woman also took pictures of the man when she would see him. On one occasion, she was able to sneak up behind him in a parking lot where she took a picture of his back-side. She also took a picture of a white Pontiac car she believed he was driving.
The sheriff's office released a composite sketch of the suspect today as well.
"We need to know who he is." Sheriff Judd said. "He's a rasper. He's a danger."
The woman says she saw the man in both Lakeland and Winter Haven, spotting him in the parking lots of a Publix and a check cashing business.
Judd says his detectives thoroughly interviewed the woman and they believe her story is accurate.
She has not seen the man since the attack.
If you have information about the suspect, contact detectives at 863-297-1117.
