LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – After a woman fought off suspected kidnappers last week in Lake County, deputies believe they’ve uncovered even more information connected to the case, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a release, deputies said the attempted kidnapping happened around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 near Okahumpka.
However, the woman was able to fend off the suspects and retreat, deputies added. She was later found in a “rural area” of the property where she was staying, which is near where the incident occurred.
Following the incident, investigators began trying to identify the suspects, and the sheriff’s office released composites for two “people of interest” related to the attempted kidnapping.
On Thursday, the sheriff’s office announced even more information possibly related to last week’s incident.
While detectives were interviewing residents nearby, they discovered a victim who had gone through a similar experience earlier this month, the release shows.
According to that victim — who reportedly didn’t want to file a police report — she had been walking near Okahumpka on Aug. 8, but during her stroll, she felt something strike her from behind.
“The victim stated that a heavy-set Hispanic male proceeded to use a sharp weapon to maintain compliance and sexually battered her in a nearby wooded area,” detectives said.
The victim also explained that her attacker left the area in a “dark-colored passenger vehicle,” though wasn’t able to tell whether he was the driver or passenger, which means there could have been a second suspect involved, deputies stated.
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Based on the proximity and similarity of the two incidents, detectives said the attacks on Aug. 8 and Aug. 20 could be related.
As a result, the sheriff’s office is asking the public for help to identify the two people of interest.
Anyone with information on their identities is urged to contact detectives at (352) 343-9500 or by contacting CRIMELINE. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for pertinent information.
“In addition to other investigative efforts, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is taking extra precautions and has increased the amount of law enforcement presence and proactive patrol in the Okahumpka area,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Detectives are also asking any other potential victims to contact the LCSO.
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