Police: Man sought after attempted carjacking in St. Augustine

'It was like something out of a movie,' 20-year-old driver says

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Augustine Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify a man who officers said tried to carjack a 20-year-old woman Thursday night in the historic downtown area.

It happened about 6:45 p.m. on Fort Alley, near the Castillo de San Marcos.

Erika Boyer told News4Jax that she was waiting in her car, at a crosswalk, when a man approached her car, opened the driver's door and demanded she get out.

"It's like something out of a movie," she said. "I never imagined something like that actually happening."

According to police, the man then reached into his pocket and ordered her to get out a second time, which is when Boyer sped off. As she drove away, she said, the man approached the vehicle behind her.

"I got really lucky, honestly. Some people might not have gotten away. Some people might have just listened to him," Boyer said. "But I was also lucky because I was right in front of the crosswalk and I was still staring at him. I just reacted and slammed on my gas. I was lucky there was no one crossing the crosswalk."

Investigators were able to create a composite sketch of the man, which was released Friday, based on Boyer's detailed description. 

"I had a few seconds to think about what this guy was doing and why he was approaching me," Boyer said. "And I also had enough time to realize what he was wearing, memorize his features and everything."

Police said the man was described as being in his late 20s to early 30s, 6 feet tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with short brown hair parted on the left and a small tattoo or birthmark on the outside corner of his right eye. He was reportedly wearing a white T-shirt with a tan jacket. 

No arrests have been made. Police are urging the public to stay alert, keep car doors locked and not stop for any strangers who appear to be waving for assistance.

"I usually feel safe walking around by myself at night. It's getting a little sketchy though," St. Augustine resident Angel Burris said. "It almost makes me want to be armed, honestly. It's scary."

Longtime resident Deborah DuBose said she wasn't surprised by the incident.

"Not with the increase in population and all the construction and everything coming to the area," she said. "(There's) a lot of tourists and a lot of people moving in from different areas."

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the detective in charge of the case at 904-209-3487.