Suspect sought in attempted assault at Valencia College

ORANGE COUNTY Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Security is on high alert at Valencia College, after an attempted sexual battery. Several students and professors tried catching the suspect, but he got away.

"It was kind of eerie, because I don't think ever in my life I've heard someone do that. Or scream in such a manor," says William Gibson.

Gibson says he was walking out of class with his professor on Tuesday evening, when they heard a desperate call for help.

"All of a sudden, we heard a series of screams coming out of the bathroom, we didn't know what was going on so we started walking towards the bathrooms."

That's when he saw the suspect.  Deputies say he tried sexually assaulting a student inside a bathroom in Building 8 of the East Campus.

"This guy just burst through the door with a woman clinging to his shoulder. She said something to the effect of, he's trying to rape me. At which point me and the professor told him to stop what he was doing."

But the suspect didn't listen. That's when William's former military training kicked in, he says.

"He ignored me and started running down the stairs, since we were on the second floor, and I gave chase after him, immediately after.  I decided to call the police because I wasn't sure if there was anyone doing that. "

Once outside, deputies say others tried catching the man.

"Some jerk trying to take advantage of someone, I guess it was instinctive, just ran after him. Unfortunately he did get away."

If you have any information about the suspect call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).