Crime & Safety

Sheriff Arrests Man Accused Of Northdale Lake Park Trail Attack

Hillsborough County Sheriff's detectives have arrested a man they believe was responsible for the sexual assault in February.

NORTHDALE, FL – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a man they believe was responsible for the sexual assault in February on a Northdale Lake Park trail (See related story).

Detectives arrests Robert Hembree Jr., 31, of 15808 Cottontail Place, Tampa, Friday, April 20, and charged him with sexual assault and larceny petit theft.

Around 3:41 p.m. on Feb. 24, a woman jogging on the trail was grabbed from behind, thrown to the ground and had her shorts and underclothing removed by her attacker.

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While the victim was lying on the ground naked from the waist down, her attacker stood over her using vulgarities. He fled the area with the victim’s shorts after she began kicking him.

Hembree was later arrested for unrelated charges in the area and admitted to throwing the victim to the ground and seeing her naked from the waist down.

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Image via Hillsborough Sheriff

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