80-Year-Old Woman Uses Vacuum to Fight Off Attacker

Update: An arrest has been made in this case. For details, check out this story.

Earlier:

A would-be rapist discovered he’d picked the wrong mark Friday afternoon when the Zephyrhills woman he attacked fought back using a vacuum cleaner.

Pasco County deputies say the incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. when a man forced his way into the 23rd Street home of an 80-year-old. The woman struggled with her attacker and “fought the suspect off using a (piece of a) vacuum cleaner,” sheriff’s office spokesman Eddie Daniels Jr. wrote in an email to media.

At some point in the struggle, the man grabbed the entire vacuum and ran out of the house.

Now, Daniels said, deputies are looking for the man and the vacuum.

Sheriff Chris Nocco said the vacuum is an important piece of evidence in the case, The Tampa Tribune quoted him as saying. Anyone who spots the vacuum is asked to not touch it, but call deputies instead.

As for the man, a composite sketch of the suspect has been released. He is described as a black male in his late teens or early 20s. Deputies say he is about 6 feet tall and has a thin, athletic build. He was last seen wearing a multi-colored shirt with camouflage cargo pants. The man was also carrying a book bag.

Anyone with information about the man is asked to call 911, or the sheriff’s office directly at 727-847-8102 or 1-800-854-2862.

Photo Credit: This man is wanted in connection with the burglary and attempted sexual assault. Sketch courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office