Man accused of sexually assaulting woman on Beachwalk refuses to appear in court – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – A sex offender accused of a heinous attack on a woman on Miami Beach’s Beachwalk refused to appear before a judge a day after his arrest.

Keith Hill Jr. did not appear in court in Broward County on Saturday, but he remains in jail on sexual assault charges.

Hollywood police arrested the 30-year-old suspect after spotting him on Hollywood Beach on Friday.

Hours later, 7News cameras captured police taking Hill to the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, where he awaits extradition to Miami-Dade County.

Investigators say the attack occurred early Tuesday morning. A chilling surveillance video shows a man police believe to be Hill attacking the victim from behind.

The woman was rollerblading on the Beachwalk at 23rd Street when Hill grabbed her and brought her to the ground, according to police.

Surveillance video shows the attacker choking his victim, who is still on roller skates, until he stops resisting.

The suspect is then seen dragging the woman into the bushes to continue his crime.

“This was a very, very traumatic experience for our victim,” said Christopher Bess, spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department.

The woman was later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to police, Hill fled on foot.

“After the brazen and senseless attack, he fled and returned to the Broward County area,” Bess said.

Miami Beach Police began the manhunt, which also involved several other law enforcement agencies in South Florida.

“According to the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, one of their officers had contact with the perpetrator the day before this heinous attack and that is how we were able to obtain a recent photograph from the Sunny Isles Police Department,” Bess said.

This photo was published and picked up by police officers in Hollywood.

“He was observed by Hollywood PD on the sand, on the beach,” Bess said. “Through media coverage and flyers distributed by investigators, they became aware of him, arrested him and immediately contacted Miami Beach police.”

This is not the first time Hill has been accused of a sex crime. The suspect is a registered sex offender in Illinois, where authorities say he committed aggravated sexual battery on a minor victim.

Hollywood police also charged Hill with failing to register as a sex offender and giving police a false name.

Miami Beach police said they will work with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office to file as many charges as possible.

“This arrest is not only a victory for our city, but we are also bringing justice to our victim,” Bess said.

Miami Beach police said they are still conducting interviews. Anyone who knows anything that could help in their investigation is asked to call police at 305-673-7900.

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