Nashville, Tennessee police are searching for a sexual assault suspect outside the VUMC parking garage

(Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Nashville authorities are asking the community for help identifying a man accused of sexually assaulting a Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) employee Saturday afternoon.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the incident occurred on Saturday, May 11, at approximately 2:15 p.m. in front of the VUMC East Parking Garage in the 1200 block of 21st Avenue South.

The victim saw the suspect pacing nearby, but when he attempted to leave the area, the man allegedly grabbed her from behind, began choking her and threatened to kill her. The two eventually got into a physical fight, during which the suspect forcefully fondled the woman before she broke free and fled, authorities said.

Officials reported the man had brown hair, a beard and a mustache, adding that he was wearing dark pants and a white short-sleeved shirt with the orange number 5 on the front.

If you recognize the suspect from these surveillance photos, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.