Tourist sexually assaulted by man on Miami Beach, police say

Alleged attack occurred near 200 block of Ocean Drive

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A tourist was attacked by a man on Miami Beach after she and her boyfriend had an argument, police said.

According to detectives, the couple were walking along the 200 block of Ocean Drive early Wednesday morning when they began to argue. The 24-year-old woman wanted to walk along the sand while her boyfriend said he didn't want to.

Detectives said the woman walked off alone and was attacked from behind by a Hispanic man who did not speak English well.

She told police the man shoved her to the ground and forcefully kissed her. She said she then tried to distance herself by going knee deep in the water to clean herself off and pretended to look for seashells.

The woman told officers the man shoved her to the ground again and tried to rape her before she could attempt to run off.

Eventually the alleged victim was able to escape and run back to her hotel where employees called 911.

Officers searched the area where the alleged sexual assault occurred but could not locate the man. DNA swabs were collected from the victim in hopes of tracking down her attacker.

Police refused to disclose the name of the victim as well as the name of the hotel she's staying at.

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Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.