New enhanced sketch released of 'Coral Gables creeper'

Women awaken to find man standing over them

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Coral Gables Police Department has released a newly enhanced composite sketch of a man who is believed to have broken into numerous homes in the area since last year. In each case, female victims have been home alone and have awakened to find a person standing near them.

In one case, in the 200 block of Menores Avenue in June 2014, a man entered a female victim's home through an unlocked door, concealed his identity with a ski mask and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Police said the man's DNA was discovered in that case and two others, helping them create a more detailed sketch of the man.

"I know he's been called the creeper, but this is a lot more than just creeping. People have been sexually assaulted by this individual," Interim police Chief Edward J. Hudak Jr. said.

In May 2015, another woman said she was sleeping when she woke up to find a man standing over her, covering her mouth with his hands.

Police said the woman had left the kitchen hallway light on, but the man unscrewed the light bulb from the socket enough to disable it.

The woman told detectives that the man was wearing gloves and told her that he was 19 years old. She said she told him, "You're wearing gloves. I promise not to move or look for 10 seconds if you would just leave."

She said she closed her eyes, and the man quickly left her apartment.

Police said the department has been investigating six overnight apartment burglaries over the last year in which women were awakened and touched by a burglar, who is believed to be the same man.

Before those incidents, five cases of lewd and lascivious behavior were reported in the north area of the city. Coral Gables police believe that the same man might have committed those crimes and similar crimes in surrounding communities.

Police described the man as having olive-colored skin and believe he is between the ages of 20 to his early 30s. They said he often wears a hooded sweatshirt or other material to conceal his identity.

Police also described the man as a loner and stalker, and someone who is socially awkward and immature.

"We need them (the public) to know that this person is out there, and not only out there at the time that he's committing the crime, but he's also out there stalking his victims," Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes said.

Anyone who has information about the crimes is asked to call the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-442-1600 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10


About the Author:

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