SARASOTA COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE NORTHEAST PLAZA EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. DEPUTIES SAY THE GIRL WAS WALKING HOME FROM A PARTY AT AROUND 2:30AM THROUGH THE REAR OF THE PLAZA WHEN A SHE WAS APPROACHED BY A BLACK MAN IN A NEWER WHITE FOUR DOOR VEHICLE. DEPUTIES SAY THE MAN CALLED OUT TO THE GIRL AT FIRST, TELLING HER TO GET INTO HIS CAR, BUT WHEN THE GIRL CHANGED DIRECTION TO AVOID HIM, THE SUSPECT GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND FORCED THE VICTIM INTO THE BACKSEAT WHERE HE SEXUALLY BATTERED HER. THE VICTIM WAS THEN LET GO FROM THE CAR AND THE SUSPECT DROVE AWAY. THE VICTIM CALLED DEPUTIES AND FAMILY, BUT A SEARCH TURNED UP NOTHING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AT 861-4916, OR YOU CAN LEAVE ANONYMOUS INFORMATION WITH CRIME STOPPERS, EITHER BY PHONE AT 366-TIPS OR ONLINE AT WWW.SARASOTACRIMESTOPPERS.COM.
