Woman beaten, raped along U.S. 1 in Tavernier

TAVERNIER, Fla. – A 39-year-old woman was beaten and raped Sunday night as she walked from her home to a bar in Tavernier, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The woman told deputies that she was walking along U.S. Highway 1 at mile marker 91 when she was attacked and dragged into a wooded area behind the Tavernier Towne Shopping Center just after 9 p.m.

She suffered a broken nose, multiple broken ribs and injuries to her face, head, neck and back. She was taken to Mariner's Hospital to be treated for her injuries.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin said the woman could give little description of her attacker except that he had afro-style hair and no noticeable accent.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 305-289-2351.