NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Birds chirp and squirrels forage for food in a 32-acre Woodland park, but police say the area surrounding Hampton Pines Park in North Lauderdale has turned into a stalking ground for a predator.
Residents and those who visit the park are being warned of the danger and now a reward is being offered for information that will help police find the attacker.
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The Broward Sheriffs office says a man in his mid to late 20s has attacked two women while they were jogging.
One woman was attacked on April 29th and the second on May 1st. Both assaults happened at night -- between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Police say the attacks happened near busy West McNab Road and Hampton Boulevard, just east of Tamarac.
In one of the attacks, the suspect actually approached the victim with a gun. In both instances, the women say the man yelled orders in Spanish. Neither of the women speak Spanish. They say they don't know what he was saying, but they clearly knew what he wanted.
In each attack he grabbed the woman and tried to drag them into the bushes or behind trees but both women fought back.
"I am always on heightened guard," Meredith Reback told Local 10's Todd Tongen. Reback say she jogs there regularly but knows the park has some remote trails and easy hiding spots.
If you recognize the man in the sketch above, call Broward Crimestoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).