Man accused of sexual assault

SURFSIDE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman.

Investigators released a sketch of a man, they said, sexually assaulted a the woman, at around 8:30 p.m. Monday. The attack happened on the 8900 block of Collins Avenue.

Miami-Dade Police said the victim was leaving her hotel when the man grabbed her, put a rag in her mouth and carried her to a nearby alleyway, where he sexually assaulted the victim.

Officers spent Wednesday afternoon handing out flyers and informing nearby residents about the attack. Police are hoping their detailed sketch of the suspect will lead to someone coming forward so they can make an arrest in the case. "I'm totally freaked out. We're always out, we have a 3-year-old. I can't believe it happened here. It's a busy street, so it's hard to believe that it happened. It's still daylight at 8:30, so [the fact] that nobody saw it, I'm shocked," one resident said. "It's super quiet here, and we're always out, taking it for granted, thinking everything's perfectly fine. I walk the dog at night by myself. I'm not doing that anymore."

Another resident said she heard about the attack from her neighbor. "I was out and she texted me, 'Be careful. We've got to tell our landlord,' and I'm like, 'Tell our landlord what?' She finally told me, and I was like, 'Oh, my God. We live right here,'" she said.

The man is described as being 30 to 40 years old, with long brown hair and a brown beard.

If you have any information on this sexual assault or this man's whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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