Takoma Park Police are searching for a man they believe attempted to rape and falsely imprison a woman Tuesday at 4:35 p.m. at the Red Carpet Inn.
Police responded to the 7400 block of New Hampshire Avenue and found a victim suffering from injuries she said she received while at work.
According to police, the woman was cleaning a room when she was approached by a man she didn’t know. He entered the room, struck the victim in the head and put his hand forcefully over her mouth.
He then attempted unsuccessfully to rape her, police said, noting that the woman was able to free her mouth and scream for someone to hear her.
The suspect fled on foot toward New Hampshire Avenue.
A witness approached the room to check on the victim as the suspect was making his way back to the room, police said. The victim barricaded herself in a different room.
The witness fled to the management office to alert police.
According to surveillance footage, the suspect wore and orange or yellow shirt with a dark jacket over that shirt, dark pants, glasses and a surgical mask covering his face. Police said they obtained items of evidentiary value.
The victim was not seriously injured.
Anyone with information should call police at 301-270-1100.
The attempted rape occurred in Ward 6.
