Possible serial rapist operating along the border of Miami-Dade and Broward

Kathleen McGrory:

A South Miami-Dade woman sleeping in bed with her 8-year-old son was sexually assaulted Thursday morning by a man who broke into the woman's apartment, police said.

The attack took place about 5:30 a.m. in the area of Southwest 138th Avenue and 271st Terrace in Naranja. Police said the victim, identified as a 27-year-old woman, was in the house with her two young children, ages 5 and 8.

Police investigators said it is too early to tell if the incident is related to a string of sexual assaults and attempted assaults in North Miami-Dade and South Broward.

"We're taking it into consideration," department spokeswoman Joanne Duncan said.

The description of the man and his mode of operation are similar to that of the suspect roaming North Miami-Dade and South Broward County, where police have logged at least 14 intruder sexual assaults and break-ins.

In Thursday's incident, the victim described the alleged attacker as an unshaven black man in his 20s, wearing dark, baggy shorts. He is thought to be about five-foot six-inches tall, and weigh around 150 pounds, police said.

He is believed to have entered the apartment through an unsecured sliding glass door.

The victim told police the man was not armed but that she complied with his demands so that he would not harm the children.

She remained silent during the rape so as not to wake her sleeping son, police said.

Anyone with information should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

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