Woman Nearly Kidnapped At North Lido Beach Park: Sarasota Police

SARASOTA, FL — A woman was nearly kidnapped Sunday night at North Lido Beach Park, 159 Emerson Drive, the Sarasota Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

The 51-year-old woman told officers she parked a rental car in the parking lot of Lido Beach, 400 Ben Franklin Drive, and walked north on the beach while talking with a friend on the phone, the department said.

When she turned around to head south on the beach, around 9:30 p.m., a man approached her and put a towel over her head from behind, she told investigators. The woman was able to escape with minor injuries.

The man is described as a “dark-skinned” and stands around 6 feet tall with an athletic build. He has “tight” curly hair and an accent, and was wearing all-black clothing, police said.

There will be an increase of officers patrolling the area following the attempting kidnapping, SPD said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Steven Fergus at 941-263-6059 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Police also offer the following tips for those who are in an area where they might be alone in the dark:

• Let someone know where you’re traveling or working out.
• Take your cell phone.
• Avoid using noise-canceling headphones or listening to loud music.
• Travel with a friend or a dog, if possible.
• Change your routes and times you travel to a location.