ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A 28-year-old woman managed to escape an attempted rape Friday, with the help of an industrial vacuum.
The attack happened at the Canterbury Square apartment complex in Alexandria around 10.30 a.m.
The woman was walking through an underground laundry room beneath two buildings, when a man she didn’t know grabbed her from behind.
The attacker wrestled with the woman and tried to remove her pants, according to Alexandria Police.
The woman fought back, striking the man in his face with the nozzle of an industrial vacuum.
The man pulled out a small knife and ordered the woman to stay while he fled.
Police describe the suspect as a black man in his 30’s, 5’11” to 6’ tall, 180 to 200 lbs., with a muscular build.
He had long braided hair, facial hair on his chin, tattoos on his arms, and was last seen wearing a black tank top and dark colored boxer shorts.
Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact Alexandria Police at 703-746-6858.
