ORLANDO, Fla. – Authorities have detained a 26-year-old man this Tuesday in connection with an attack on a 90-year-old woman in her HarborChase apartment located in Dr. Phillips, as reported by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Deriko Montreze Hill faces charges that include burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery, attempted sexual battery, and battery on an individual aged 65 or older.
According to sheriff’s officials, deputies responded late Tuesday to the Brookdale Senior Living facility on 8001 Pin Oak Drive regarding a suspicious person resembling the description of the suspect involved in the April 29 incident at HarborChase.
Deputies established a perimeter at Brookdale and just prior to searching the interior of the facility, the suspicious person exited a rear door and took off running, officials said.
The man, identified as Hill, was secured after a brief chase, deputies said.
According to OCSO, Hill confessed to his involvement in both cases.
“No senior should ever be attacked in their home or apartment,“ the sheriff’s office said in a statement. ”Detectives from both our agencies have worked vigilantly to find this suspect and ensure that he can’t hurt any other seniors in our community.”
In the HarborChase attack, a friend of the victim said the attacker knocked the woman down and tried to smother her, but she was not seriously injured.
[VIDEO BELOW: See video of man wanted in HarborChase attack]
HarborChase released the following statement after the April attack.
On April 29th, 911 was called by HarborChase of Dr.Phillips’ senior living community regarding an alleged trespasser and incident with a resident within one of the Independent Living apartments. The resident did not require medical treatment, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
Video security footage was released to the Sheriff’s Office by HarborChase to assist in the investigation. The suspect was seen in the video surveillance and HarborChase is working closely with law enforcement to help identify the trespasser.
HarborChase of Dr.Phillips has security cameras throughout the community, including in the Independent Living section. Doors other than the main entrance remain locked from theoutside. Associates are staffed 24/7 throughout the entire community. Individual resident apartments are also secured with individual locks.
It is the mission of HarborChase to serve and care for seniors and their families with dignity, respect, and compassion. Providing a safe home and working environment for our residents and associates while providing peace of mind for their loved ones remains paramount to our family of senior living communities.
To protect the privacy of the residents, our associates, and to respect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are currently unable to provide additional details. We expect our quick response, cooperation, and transparent reporting to help bring the investigation to a satisfactory resolution.
Harbor Retirement Associates will release an additional statement following formal investigation results and in full cooperation with law enforcement officials.
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