Deputies: Suspect wanted after kidnapping, raping, abandoning woman near Florida highway

Search for kidnapping, rape suspect

There is a desperate search to find a violent criminal. Investigators said a woman was kidnapped at one location in Marion County, rendered unconscious and raped, before being dropped off in a ditch. At another location.

MARION COUNTY, Fla. - Deputies in Marion County are issuing a community alert after they say a woman was kidnapped, raped, and left on the side of a roadway.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said that detectives were made aware of the incident that happened Tuesday at Baseline Road between 8 and 9 a.m. The victim was forced into a vehicle by an unknown suspect, rendered unconscious, and driven away.

They said that while unconscious, the suspect allegedly raped the victim before leaving her beside the roadway near Highway 314.

"This is something that is appalling and quite frankly, it angers most of us here, just to even hear about something like this," said Sgt. Paul Bloom, Public Information Director, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, "That is somebody we don’t want in our community, they need to be behind bars and behind bars now."

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The woman is said to be recovering but a suspect has yet to be caught.

"At that time of day, somebody saw something," stated Sheriff Billy Woods. "We need your help to seek justice for the victim and get this violent criminal off of our streets."

Deputies are asking that anyone with any information about the crime come forward. Call 352-732-9111 or contact Detective Burleson at 352-368-3542. You can also call the Marion County Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP (7867).

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