Rapist targets woman at bus stop

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a rapist after an alarming attack at a South Florida bus stop.

North Miami Beach Police Detective James Moore described the violent scene that unfolded Saturday night, at approximately 10:45 p.m. "He grabbed her in a choke hold from behind and forced her to the ground with a knife [and said], 'Don't look at me.'"

Police said the woman had a hard time describing him because he was behind her and threatened her with the knife. But she did inform them that he was a Latin male, approximately 30-40 years old, wearing a white T-shirt and khaki shorts.

Police think that the man had been hiding behind a tree near the bus sign that stands between two homes at 1535 and 1545 NE 171 St. before he crept up behind her. "As she's waiting for the bus, she gets a phone call from a friend, and then all of a sudden she's grabbed from behind and the knife is put to her neck," said Moore.

The victim also told police that the man took her wallet and iPhone 4 before he raped her behind some bushes. "He starts pulling and dragging her back here and forces her to the ground," Moore said, walking to some bushes just a few feet from the bus stop. "After he forces her to the ground, he tells her to take off her clothes. She starts, but he is impatient, and then he pulls off one pants leg and then proceeds to rape her."

The victim told police that the subject fled in an eastern direction on Northeast 171th Street. Police were in the neighborhood Wednesday, going door-to-door, looking for leads. "It's awful," said one woman. "It's awful. It's not safe here. You feel like you're not safe in this neighborhood."

Neighbors are now edge. "I'd be shocked and scared because I have three little ones that I have to worry about," said another woman.

Police ask anyone living in the area to be vigilant and contact them if they have any information on this rape. Remember, you can always call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS to remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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