CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. -- A Punta Gorda woman says a man tried to sexually assault her during a home invasion Thursday night.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, it happened at a home on Carmen Street just after 9 p.m.. Thursday.
Lt. Todd Davis with the Sheriff's Office says the the man was inside the home about 20 minutes demanding money.
"He pushed himself into the house, demanded some money and while in the residence with her, attempted to sexually batter her on several occasions," Lt. Davis said.
The suspect is descried as a dark-skinned black male, 25-26 years old, and 6' tall with a medium build. He was was wearing white gym type shorts, white lace up sneakers and a dark colored windbreaker type jacket with a hood, with possible pockets on the upper front.
"The clothing is what we're really looking for at this time, throughout any cameras or videos we may have."
Investigators are asking anyone with cameras installed outside their homes in the area nearby to contact the Sheriff's Office. A surveillance system may have captured the man they're looking for.
"Right now we don't know if he fled on foot or in a car."
Four In Your Corner spoke with a co-worker of the victim who says the middle aged woman walked to and from work every day and did not know who the attacker was.
"When I found out I couldn't believe it," the victim's friend said. "Why her? I just don't get it."
She tells FOX 4, the victim only speaks Vietnamese, and not knowing what her attacker was saying made it even more traumatic.
"She's back to work and I've been trying to keep her busy to keep her mind off of it," the friend of the victim said. "I can't ask her or she'll break down in tears."
A man who lives a couple streets down from where the man attempted to sexually assault the victim says he believes her attacker may have wanted the money for drugs because of what he's seen in the area.
"Over there in the next block it's rough," he said. "They come around riding through this wall all the time they're high or dope."
Four In Your Corner asked Lt. Todd Davis if drugs had anything to do with why the man tried to assault the woman for money.
"To say that is the reason, we can't say that as of yet," he said. "Due to the fact there have been some drug areas in there in the past we can't rule that out."
FOX 4 also asked if the public was at harm or if this was a targeted attack. Lt. Davis says he does not believe she was specifically targeted and does not see a concern for the public at the time but asks people to always be vigilant of their surroundings.
Meanwhile, friends of the victim say they hope her life will get back to normal as much as it can but will not be living in the home where she was attacked.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone that may have seen anything out of the ordinary on Thursday night along Carmen street or may have any information to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 941-639-2101.
