Sheriff's office is looking for a man who raped and kidnapped a woman at gunpoint

Melissa Sanchez:

The Broward Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying and arresting a man who kidnapped and raped a 26-year-old woman behind a vacant Lauderdale Lakes business early Sunday morning.

The victim -- whose name the sheriff's office withheld -- was driving home around 3:30 a.m. when she noticed that one of her car's tires was wobbling, according to BSO. She pulled into a gas station in the 3900 block of West Oakland Park Boulevard and stopped her car near the air hose.

A man in an older-model, white car -- possibly a Ford Crown Victoria or Chevrolet Caprice -- pulled up and offered his help, according to BSO. When the woman declined, he pulled out a handgun and forced her into the passenger seat of his car, BSO said.

Then he drove behind an abandoned auto parts store nearby and raped her. After that, he took the victim's driver's license and threatened to harm her if she reported the crime.

Out of fear, the woman stayed in her car for nearly 16 hours before calling BSO.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-TIPS. A reward of up to $1,000 may be offered for information leading to an arrest.

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