2 attempted kidnappings by masked man reported in Indian River Co.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. – Investigators are working to identify and locate a man allegedly connected to two attempted abductions of women in the past five days in Pointe West.

Sheriff Eric Flowers told WPTV that officers went door-to-door in the neighborhood on Sunday in hopes of finding home surveillance video showing the suspect.

Flowers said in the most recent incident, which occurred around 12:15 a.m. Sunday, a masked man approached a woman from behind and tried to pull her away. The woman managed to scream and run home to safety.

The sheriff’s office does not have a specific description of the suspect, but Sunday’s attempted kidnapping was captured on a doorbell camera. Flowers said investigators are working to release some video evidence to the public.

“He’s wearing a mask, so you don’t see his face there,” Flowers said. “Hopefully someone will recognize the way the man walks or the way he’s dressed.”

Deputies said both incidents occurred in the dark in the Pointe West area.

The first incident occurred last Tuesday, July 2, around 10:30 p.m. Flowers said a woman reported being attacked with a knife, but she too was able to run away and call 911.

WPTV’s Zitlali Solache asked the sheriff why the public was not informed after the first kidnapping attempt.

Sheriff Flowers said the victim in the July 2 incident did not speak English and the initial investigation at the scene found no witnesses, video footage or other evidence of a crime.

“The initial information our officers received when they responded to the scene was very vague,” Flowers said.

Flowers said police presence will be increased in Pointe West and urged residents to be vigilant, walk in groups and report suspicious activity.

“We’ll have our team out there in marked and unmarked vehicles,” Flowers said. “We’ve warned the public, and of course our bad guy will be warned.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the suspect should call Det. Daugherty at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office at 772-978-6240.

WPTV is monitoring this development. Please check back later for updates.