A Cape Coral woman told police that a man forced his way into her home and attempted to strangle her before she was able to escape.
Thursday evening, police responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 1700 block of Four Mile Cove Parkway. The victim reported that the man, who was unknown to her, forced his way into her apartment and tried to strangle her. He also threatened her with a hammer he had.
The man reportedly told the woman that he had flown in from California to retrieve the $30,000 that her relative had stolen from him. She said the man forced her into a bathroom and tore a bedroom apart, searching for money.
The woman told police that she was able to run out of the apartment to the office at the apartment building, but not before the man stole her cell phone.
Officers arrived and established a perimeter and the K-9 and Aviation Units were brought in. Attempts to locate the man were met with negative results, according to a police report. The woman refused medical attention on scene.
Police interviewed the relative of the woman.
The man was described as possibly Hispanic, in his mid 20s, with a slender build. He had a light mustache over his lip. The woman reported that he was wearing jeans and black shoes with a dark grey long-sleeve shirt at the time of the incident.
Anyone with information can contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 574-3223 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).