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Police distribute sketches of three women's attackers

By wire services
Published February 23, 2005

These police composites are of the suspects in two of three violent attacks against women in Tampa last week. Police say it's possible they're the same man.

TAMPA - Police released two sketches Tuesday of suspects from last week's string of vicious assaults on three women in central Tampa. Police think at least two suspects were involved in the attacks, which took place between 3:15 and 6 a.m. Friday.

A woman walking with her children to a bus stop near E Lotus and N Nebraska avenues was sexually assaulted at 5:45 a.m. The woman and a witness described the suspect as a black man between ages 20 and 30, smoking a cigar and driving a four-door red glossy car with worn red leather interior and a radar detector.

A second woman, whom a man beat in her home in the 4800 block of E Temple Heights Road, described her assailant as a black 30-year-old man, about 180 pounds and driving a rust or maroon Toyota or Nissan with a broken rear brake light. Both suspects were described as about 6 feet tall. Both sketches show men who look similar. "They could be the same man," said police spokesman Joe Durkin.

A third woman remained in critical condition at St. Joseph's Hospital and could not provide enough detail for a sketch, Durkin said. The suspect was described as a 45-year-old black male, roughly 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a thin build and a clean-shaven face. Police said his car may have blood inside and that cloth was covering the license plate. Police did not think this attack was related to the others.

Anyone with information is asked to call (813) 276-3542.

[Last modified February 23, 2005, 05:09:02]