Safety warning after sexual assault in Miami Beach

MIAMI-BEACH- It was a terrifying Tuesday morning for a woman rollerblading in Miami Beach who told police she was attacked from behind by a man who is still at large.

“We take this extremely seriously,” said Christopher Bess, spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department.

According to police, the woman was roller skating near the 2300 block of the South Beach boardwalk around 1 a.m. “when the perpetrator attacked her from behind,” Bess said.

According to police, sexual abuse is the subject of the investigation.

Katie Pfinz lives in the area and often uses the beach path for exercise.

After learning of the attack, she said she was “horrified. Because I mean, I try to do everything I can to be safe. But you can’t do everything,” Pfinz said.

“It’s actually crazy that no one stops for them or even notices,” said visitor Reign Kirby.

“People here do what they want. They have no respect. You never know who the people here are,” said Brian Murzinski.

The police advise people who are out at night to contact a friend and always pay attention to their surroundings.

“I always look behind me. And if I have pepper spray or anything else that can defend me, I try to keep it in my right pocket because I’m right-handed,” Pfinz said. “I even walk with my hand in my pocket so I always have it handy.”

According to police, the suspect is between 20 and 30 years old, about 1.73 to 1.75 meters tall and weighs about 80 kilograms.

At the time of the attack, he was wearing a white outfit and had noticeable tattoos on his arms, officials said.

Miami Beach Police are announcing increased police presence in the area as they continue their investigation.

They ask anyone who recognizes the suspect to call the police.