DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's Office deputies said a man sneaked into a 93-year-old woman's Deerfield Beach apartment and sexually assaulted her early Monday morning.
The incident occurred about 2:30 a.m. at the Highland Gardens apartments.
Detective Ian Kuechler said Clyde Leandre, 22, was taken into custody after a struggle with deputies.
"He seemed to have about the strength of 10 men," Kuechler said.
Kuechler said Leandre followed a resident inside the apartment complex and slipped into the woman's room moments after she had taken out her trash. Kuechler said Leandre "acted as if he knew her" as he was assaulting her, but the woman was able to pull an emergency cord on her bed.
Eric Maly, who lives in the apartment complex, told Local 10 News he saw the emergency light flashing outside of her room, so he decided to check on her.
"I couldn't understand what she was saying, so I walked in a little bit further and see this guy on his knees with his pants halfway down, trying to pull her off her bed," Maly said.
Maly said he called 911 while two other neighbors tried to get the stranger off of her.
"He was like Superman -- plenty of power -- I mean, he was throwing people off left and right," Maly said. "I asked the cops if I could stab him and they said it wouldn't be a good idea."
Kuechler said deputies used a Taser on Leandre in an effort to restrain him.
"It had zero effect on him," Kuechler said.
In the end, it took four deputies to restrain Leandre.
The woman was taken to Broward Health North, where she was being treated for severe bruising and back injuries.
"She's a nice old lady," Maly said.
Kuechler said two deputies were injured in the struggle with Leandre. They were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries and have since been released.
Leandre faces charges of burglary, sexual battery, resisting arrest with violence and false imprisonment. He has an extensive criminal history in Broward County dating to 2010.
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