Deputies seek to ID man accused of raping woman outside New Smyrna Beach bar

Volusia County deputies are trying to identify a man who they said raped a woman outside a bar in New Smyrna Beach.

The supervising detective on the case said he’s working to solidify details that the victim gave authorities, but said there isn’t much to go on.

Deputies said the incident was reported about midnight in the parking lot of the Cabbage Patch Bar on Pioneer Trail and Tomoka Farms Road.

The 44-year-old victim said she was inside the bar Thursday night where she met and had been socializing with a man.

The woman said that when she left the bar alone, the man followed her to her vehicle and overtook her.

Deputies said the woman was assaulted inside her car, and when she was discovered by a deputy hours later, he reported that she appeared to have bruises, but was physically OK.

The woman had not called for help and was sleeping in her vehicle when she was found about 5 a.m.

The deputy spotted the SUV in the parking lot and stopped to investigate.

The owner of the bar wasn’t there Thursday night and the victim is not an employee.

The owner said he questioned his bar staff and he doesn’t believe that she was served alcohol.

Deputies said the investigation is continuing.

Cox Media Group