The Lakeland Police Department is searching for a suspect in a sexual assault that happened outside a hotel.
According to officers, workers at the Hyatt Hotel at The Lakeland Center found a woman outside the hotel in an area where hotel employees take breaks.
The woman who was attacked is an employee of the hotel, authorities said.
Officials said the woman, who was waiting for a friend to get off work, was found just after 11 p.m. by other employees.
A man approached her saying 'I'm sorry, excuse me,' before attacking her, officers said. She told police she put her head down to use her cell phone and he attacked her.
The man choked and hit the woman until she was unconscious, police said.
The woman told officers when she regained consciousness; the man was sexually assaulting her. The man then ran from the hotel.
The victim was beaten so badly, her eyes were swollen shut.
“It appears she's going to require additional cosmetic surgery to help her appearance, restore her back to normal as much as possible,” said Lakeland Police Dept. Capt. Greg Policastro.
Hotel surveillance shows the man believed to be the suspect walking through the lobby at 10:47 p.m. Sunday wearing khaki shorts and a red t-shirt.
“We think (the video) is going to be very valuable to us and the reason is that he has a rather unusual gait, if you will. And I believe anyone who knows him will not have any difficulty (recognizing him) once they've viewed the video,” Policastro said.
Hotel management released the following statement after the attack.
The safety and security of our guests and associates is a top priority at Hyatt Place Lakeland Center. The management team at Hyatt place is fully cooperating with authorities. The hotel will continue to offer assistance and support to our associate and her family.
Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to call the Lakeland Police Department at (863) 834-6900.