Jacksonville Beach Police seek suspects in attempted sexual assault

Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville Beach Police are asking for help identifying two men who were caught on surveillance video following an attempted violent sexual assault.

Officers released video on Wednesday that shows two men approach three women in front of City Hall around 2 a.m. Sunday. The video then shows two bystanders run down the sidewalk toward the women. At that point, the two men who first approached the women turn around and quickly walk away.

Police say the two men had attempted to sexuallay assault a woman just before they were caught on surveillance video.  A spokesperson for the police department told Action News Jax the victim “would have been a victim of a sexual battery if she didn’t fight back.”

Officers are asking anyone with information about the identities of the men to call 904-270-1661 or email tipline@jaxbchfl.net.

The woman who said she had been attacked released the following statement to Action News Jax:

“On Saturday, I stepped outside of a bar in Jacksonville Beach looking for a friend. As soon as I walked outside, a man came running at me at a very fast pace. He punched me in the face at least five times. I lost count as he continued to beat me, breaking my nose, giving me a black eye and cutting my face with his fists. He then pulled down my pants and told me if I was quiet, it would be quick. I screamed, and thankfully, he ran away, but sadly, he and a friend went after some other women in the area. I am sharing what happened to me to protect other women so they do not have to survive a horrific attack like I did.”