(updates with arrest of suspect)
Miami, Dec. 15 The Orange County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office arrested a 54-year-old man on Thursday suspected of having raped, mutilated and attempted to murder a woman in the area, of whose danger he had warned the community.
Bruce Whitehead, who, as seen in the photo distributed by the Police, has most of his face tattooed, was captured this morning thanks to a tip offered by a neighbor who saw him in his area, according to a Twitter message. from the Sheriff’s Office.
The message is accompanied by a photograph in which the suspect is seen handcuffed next to a patrol vehicle.
Whitehead had been defined as a “monster” by officer Evan Ávila, who assured in statements to the WESH television channel in Orlando that this is one of the “most appalling” cases of his entire career.
“That is why we are working diligently to capture it,” Avila added.
Whitehead, who has the word “sacrifice” written on his face, among other “unmistakable” tattoos, according to the Police, is included in the register of sexual predators after serving a 30-year prison sentence (1987-2007) for a case similar to the one that occurred on December 10 in Orange County.
That day the victim met Whitehead in a public place and agreed to take a drive with him.
According to police information, Whitehead ended up taking her to a secluded place and at the point of a knife made her get out of the car, raped her and tried to kill her, but the woman bravely defended herself and managed to escape.
“We ask the public not to approach him. Do not interact with him, call 911 (the US emergency number),” Avila said.
Police had reported that Whitehead may have been armed and had a cut to his face as a result of the fight with the woman, who is recovering from her injuries and will survive, according to the Orange Sheriff’s Office, which in its press releases defines him as “a brutal rapist”. EFE
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(photo)