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Detroit police search for suspect in armed robbery, attempted rape downtown

Posted at 9:52 PM, Feb 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-28 05:36:11-05

The Detroit Police Department is asking for the public's help to find a suspect in an armed robbery and attempted rape at the Detroit Opera House Parking Center.

The incident happened at around 11:15 p.m. on February 26 at the garage in the 1400 block of Broadway.

Officers say the unidentified man followed a 61-year-old woman into the garage.

Once inside, police say the man followed the woman to her vehicle, where he approached her and took her money. He then told her to get into the back seat.

Police say the woman complied with the man because she believed he was armed because of an object he was holding.

Officer say once inside the vehicle, the man physically assaulted the woman and attempted to sexually assault her. However, the woman was able to fight off the man, who fled and ran out of the garage.

The woman then called 911.

Police say the man is African American with a medium brown complexion, about 6'0" and weights about 250 to 300 pounds. He was wearing a brown scarf, black hooded sweat shirt, dark colored pants and black shoes.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Detroit Police Sex Crime Unit at 313-596-1950 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP.

The Michigan Opera Theatre has released the following statement about the incident:

We are deeply troubled about the altercation that occurred last night at the Detroit Opera House Parking Center. The safety of those who use our facilities is of the utmost importance to us at Michigan Opera Theatre. Our parking garage has 24-hour on-site security and surveillance, and we regularly review our security measures. We have been in the process of employing an expanded video surveillance system, which will be fully- implemented within the next few weeks. We are conducting a thorough investigation of the incident to determine any further security improvements that should be made. We express our heartfelt concern to the individual that was harmed in the incident.