Woman raped along bike trail
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Clermont, FL (WESH) — A woman told police in Clermont that two men attacked and sexually assaulted her Wednesday near Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
Police said the assault happened sometime between 3 and 5 p.m. and was reported to police around 5 p.m.
It happened along a scenic bike trail in the middle of a calm and peaceful park.
“It is a brazen situation, it’s something that is extremely out of the ordinary for our municipality, for this community. It’s something that’s out of the ordinary for the bike trail in general,” Captain Michael McMaster of the Clermont Police Department said.
Police said they are looking for two men who were wearing dark clothing, but further details were not released.
The victim ran to a woman who was enjoying the preserve with her family. That woman then called 911.
“I’m walking her to my truck right now. She’s crying that her clothes are ripped,” The woman told emergency operators.
The caller said she first noticed the victim running to a nearby bathroom. Officials said the victim is shaken up and is trying to work with authorities to work up a sketch of her attackers.
Officials said they wanted to go through surveillance camera footage but learned the video system is not working and the city must fix it.
Detectives said they do not believe the community is in any danger.
“We have not had any indications or any reports of anything of this nature in our surrounding communities,” McMaster said.
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