Jacksonville police: Man knocks woman unconscious, assaults her

Sketch released of man who police say attacked woman at San Pablo Road apartment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police released a composite sketch Friday of a man who a woman said forced his way into her San Pablo Road apartment just after midnight Tuesday, knocked her unconscious and is believed to have sexually assaulted her.

The victim said the man approached her about 12:20 a.m. as she was getting something out of her car in the parking lot and asked to use her cellphone. A short time later, when the victim said she opened her apartment door to get her phone back from him, the man pushed his way in and struck her until she lost consciousness.

When she woke up hours later on her doorstep, her bra and shorts were out of place and she believed she had been assaulted, police said. Also, her apartment was ransacked.

It's unclear exactly where it happened because police are protecting the victim. But many people who live in the area told News4Jax on Friday that they are fearful, especially knowing the attacker has not been caught. 

Susan Eccher, who lives along San Pablo Road, said she's shocked to hear what happened. 

"It makes me nervous," Eccher said. "I don't like to think that if my daughter or my son -- my 10-year-old son -- were to go out that I would have to worry about that. But I guess, maybe now, I do."

Another woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she believes she saw the man in the sketch just hours after the attack. 

"When I saw the description on Facebook today, and the hat and the picture, I kind of just looked together," she said. "The time is a little bit off, but still, it's kind of concerning."

That woman told News4Jax that she alerted police, and is waiting to hear back. 

Anyone who has any information about the incident or recognizes the man in the sketch is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.

This is the latest of a series of recent sexual assaults in Jacksonville, but the first in the San Pablo area.

The Women’s Center of Jacksonville is available to help anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault. The center’s 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline number is 904-721-7273, or go to womenscenterofjax.org for additional information.