Police are searching for the man who sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl in a portable bathroom Sunday night steps away from the Miami Beach oceanfront.
The incident happened at Altos de Mar, a private gated community, on 79th Street and Collins Avenue. The homes back right up to the beach.
Neighbors said they saw police at the scene about 6:30 p.m. Sunday. One resident said a security officer told her a man lured the 7-year-old girl off the beach and into the bathroom, which was on a construction site.
According to a Miami Beach police incident report, the girl's father told investigators he was with his four kids at the boardwalk on 79th Street when he realized his daughter was missing.
He spotted her coming out of some bushes holding hands with the suspect. He yelled out to her and the suspect took off running, the report said.
The victim told officers her attacker held a knife to her and took her to a bathroom at the construction site. The report is redacted but said the suspect performed a sexual act on the girl.
"I did hear the security fella from this, from this area, (say) that they have security, that they have security cameras, and I guess they are in the process now of looking to see what actually happened," neighbor Mike Vazquez said.
U.S. & World
Police spent hours at the scene Sunday night. One neighbor said an officer was posted overnight.
Other neighbors and tourists said they were shocked by the incident.
"It is sick and it is disgusting, and I wish this doesn't go on in my neighborhood," said resident Rolly Gonzalez. "But also I would like the parents to watch their kids; they have to watch their kids."
Tourist Mike Raynack said he hopes police catch the person responsible.
"I have a daughter, she is special needs, she would be easy to take advantage of, it would upset me greatly, I would definitely want to find out who did it and I would like to see justice served," Raynack said.
Police are looking for a Hispanic man who is 25-35 years old with a square build. He has dark, shaggy hair and was wearing a shirt with the number 3 on the back, possibly a soccer jersey.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
