SARASOTA, FL  – September 20, 2018   – 8 a.m.

Sarasota Police Officers have arrested a Sarasota man following a reported sexual battery inside the Westfield Siesta Key mall.  The suspect is being held at the Sarasota County Jail.

Jamal Abrams, 22, of 1833 Livingstone Street, Sarasota, has been charged with one count of sexual battery following the incident that occurred inside the Westfield Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, at approximately 10 a.m. on Wednesday.  Officers responded to the mall after the victim reported to mall security about a sexual battery.

The victim told Officers she was at the mall sitting on the ground in the hallway across from the family restroom, charging her iPad, when Abrams arrived unexpectedly.  Abrams sat next to the victim on the ground, grabbed her neck and forced her to kiss him.  The victim pushed Abrams away and told him to stop.

Abrams then reportedly grabbed the victim’s backpack and iPad and took them into the family restroom.  Abrams tried to lure the victim into the restroom to retrieve her items.  The victim stood by the door but did not enter.  The victim sat back down on the ground and Abrams reportedly grabbed her and forcibly dragged her into the restroom against her will where he sexually assaulted her. She was eventually able to leave the restroom and alert a security guard and reported the attack. 

Abrams was identified by the victim in the hallway after Officers arrived.  Sarasota Police want to assure the public that this was not a random attack and that the victim and Abrams know one another.  Abrams was arrested and transported to the Sarasota County Jail without incident and is awaiting his first appearance on Thursday afternoon.

Captain Johnathan Todd, Commander of the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, praised the victim for reporting the incident quickly.  “I’m happy the victim was able to get away and notify security,” said Captain Todd.  “The quicker we know about a case, the quicker we can begin our investigation and solve it.”

The Sarasota Police Department takes every instance of sexual violence seriously.  Officers encourage anyone to call and report this type of activity without hesitation.    

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Jamal Abrams, 22