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Neighbors save victim of attempted sexual assault in Orange County, deputies say

ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA — Residents in the area of Colonial Drive and Alafaya Trail rushed to the aid of a woman being sexually assaulted after getting off a Lynx bus, Orange County deputies said.

The attack was reported at about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday after the victim got off the bus and took a shortcut through a wooded area to get to her apartment, investigators said.

The woman told investigators that she noticed a man in a newer, silver four-door car following her as she walked, an Orange County Sheriff’s Office report said.

The man parked the car near the Economy Suites Motel and started following her on foot, the report said.

He followed the victim into the apartment complex’s courtyard where he pushed her to the ground and tried to sexually assault her, deputies said.

The woman was able to punch the man and scream, alerting other residents, who came to help her, the Sheriff’s Office report said.

“I heard the screaming, ‘No, no, stop,’” one resident, who asked not to be named, told Channel 9.

He called 911 and the alleged attacker ran away, the witness said.

The man said he was shocked that the attack happened so close to home.

“I’ve lived here for a year and a half already,” he said. “This is my backyard. It’s kind of scary that this thing can happen.”

Tuesday’s attack was not the first to be reported at the complex, deputies said.

In September, investigators were searching for a man who pushed a different woman to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

Last year, two other sexual assaults were reported nearby, deputies said.

One woman was dragged into the woods and sexually assaulted and another was able to fight off her attacker and escape, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The alleged attacker in Tuesday's incident was described as wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on the attack or the identity of the man believed to be involved is asked to contact Crimeline, 800-423-TIPS (8477).

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