JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are searching for an armed man who forced his way into a Southside mobile home late Monday morning and raped a woman, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Officers said the incident was reported about 11:15 a.m. at the Countryside Village mobile home park on Beach Boulevard, between St. Johns Bluff Road and Southside Boulevard.
Investigators said a white man, who's possibly Hispanic with a bald head and no facial hair, was armed when he forced his way into the residence and sexually assaulted the woman.
He then stole the woman's cellphone and left, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The woman had an injury on her hand that required stitches, police said.
"(It's normally) very quiet actually," said Jason, who lives in Countryside Village. "Where I am at in the community, it's quiet. I don't have any problems with anybody."
Investigators said they believe the man arrived at the mobile home park and left in a vehicle. Prior to the incident, witnesses told police that they saw a "suspicious vehicle," which is described as an older-model, light-colored two-door pickup truck with a tool box in the back and Texas plates on the front and rear.
It's possible the truck is tied to the man involved in the sexual assault, investigators said.
Police on Wednesday evening released a photo of the truck as well as a sketch of the man, who's described as being in his early to mid-30s and about 6 feet tall with a thin build. He was said to have tattoos on both arms and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and khaki pants.
Even though the truck has Texas plates, News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said he believes the man is familiar with the area and could have been watching the woman for days.
"When it comes to sexual assault, in most cases, the offender lives somewhere in the area. So he may be within a 3 to 4 mile radius of this area, because they commit crimes in areas where they are comfortable or familiar with," Smith said.
News4Jax checked for other sexual battery crimes in the area using the JSO crime-mapping tool. Monday's incident was the first reported sexual assault.
Anyone who has any information about the man's identity or whereabouts is asked to call the 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 1-866-845-TIPS.