Local

Sketch released of man accused of attacking Clermont girl as she slept

CLERMONT, Fla. — Authorities are searching for a man they said entered a home on Morning Star Drive in Clermont and attacked a 16-year-old girl who was sleeping on the couch while her mother was in another room.

Joanne Conroy said the man choked and punched her in the face when she began struggling. As she continued to struggle with the man, the girl said he left through a sliding glass door.

"My first instinct was to get him off of me," said Conroy.

"She reported that this unknown individual climbed on top of her, was strangling (choking) her. She fought against him. He punched her in the face and then fled out a side door," said Sgt. Jim Vachon of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

"I tried getting his hands off of me but I couldn't, so I started kicking him off me.  Then he punched me in the face."

Deputies said Conroy had minor injuries on her neck and nose, but didn't need to be taken to the hospital.

"It is possible that she frightened him and he reacted and left the residence before stealing anything," said Vachon.

Conroy and her mother called 911 after the attack.

Deputies released a composite sketch of the man, who is described as having brown eyes, black hair, measuring about 6 feet in height and weighing about 230 pounds.  He is believed to be 25-30 years old.

The man was wearing a black shirt, tan pants, a silver watch, rectangle-shaped silver glasses and square diamond-studded earrings.

"I remember, like, his hands being on me and I saw the watch and then, and I remember seeing he had glasses," said Conroy.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or any other information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.