Orange County deputy attacked

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Orange County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect who attacked a deputy sheriff.

Deputies are calling it a burglary and attempted sexual battery.

Goldenrod Road was briefly closed to traffic as deputies searched for the suspect Tuesday evening.

At around 8:50 p.m., the deputy approached her unit at the Jasmine Apartments off Goldenrod, near Valencia College in East Orange County. She noticed her door was ajar and assumed it was a family member, according to Orange County Sheriff’s spokesman Jeff Williamson. That’s when she came face to face with an intruder.

A struggle ensued, but the deputy somehow escaped. As the suspect bolted out the door, the deputy grabbed her gun and fired-off two shots. It is still unclear whether or not the suspect was injured. The deputy was unharmed in the attack.

A search perimeter was set up including the Valencia College campus and areas adjacent to Goldenrod Rd. between SR 50 (East Colonial) and SR 417. K-9 units, bloodhounds and helicopters were deployed in the search, but the suspect was not found. Deputies also checked cars as they approach the area. The searched ended shortly after midnight.

The suspect is described as a man standing 5 feet, 11 inches and weighing about 170 pounds. The race of the suspect is unknown as he was wearing a mask. The deputy said he did not have an accent when he spoke.

If you have any information, please contact the Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
 

FOX 35's Cheryl Getuiza contributed to this report.