Detectives have arrested the man suspected of committing an armed sexual battery near a St. Petersburg day care.
Leandre Snead, 28, of St. Petersburg, is facing charges of armed sexual battery and grand theft motor vehicle.
According to St. Petersburg police, the woman was in the area of 54th Avenue N and 28th Street N on Dec. 29 when she encountered Snead. Police said Snead, who was armed with a handgun, blocked the woman's way and told her he would kill her.
The woman tried to run but Snead grabbed her and hit her in the face with the gun, police said. The woman's jaw was fractured on both sides, and she fell to the ground.
Police said Snead then sexually assaulted the woman. When the assault was over, he stole her cell phone and car keys, and fled the area in the woman's vehicle, police said.
The woman got up and called 911 for assistance. Police said the woman did not recognize the suspect. She was treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
On Jan. 6, detectives received confirmation that a DNA sample taken from the woman matched DNA belonging to Snead.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant, and they took him into custody on Wednesday at the Florida Department of Corrections Probation office.