Police release sketch of man wanted in assault case

Image 1 of 7

Atlanta Police are looking for a man they say tried to rape a woman in the middle of broad daylight.

"It happened back in January around 3 p.m.," Sergeant Warren Pickard told FOX 5. "The woman had just parked her car, she was minding her business when a man came up to her and tried to sexually assault her."

The attack happened at 3322 Peachtree Road N.E., police said.

Friday, authorities released a sketch of the suspect as well as a photograph of a person of interest in the case.

"We are hoping someone who looks at the sketch and photo may be able to identify the man," Pickard said.

Pickard said the victim was able to get away unharmed.

"It's shocking that someone would try to do this at that time of day," Pickard said.

For the past few months, authorities have been canvassing the area every night, in hopes of finding the suspect.

"We believe he lives in Buckhead or at least frequents the area," Pickard said.

While authorities believe this was an isolated incident, they want to solve the case before anyone else becomes a victim.

"We hope a witness comes forward," Pickard said. "It was a busy time of day in a busy part of Atlanta. We need the public's help in solving this case."

UPDATE Saturday, 4/8/17 3:10 p.m. 

A man who claims he's the person pictured in the "person of interest" photo released by Atlanta Police contacted FOX 5 Atlanta. He says he was not involved in the assault. He says he's contacted APD to share his information.

Sergeant Warren Pickard with Atlanta Police tells FOX 5 that the person pictured in the photo remains a person of interest and they plan to speak to him Saturday. They say he is not a suspect at this time. 

UPDATE Sunday 4/9/17 9:30 a.m.

Police have told FOX 5 they talked with the man shown in the photo they released earlier. Police have determined he was not involved in this case. Officers continue to search for the woman's attacker.