Woman beaten, raped in Tavernier

A 39 year old Tavernier woman was dragged into the bushes, beaten and raped Sunday night as she walked from her home to a nearby bar to meet a friend.

She told deputies and detectives she was walking to Dillon’s Irish Pub and Grille at the 91 mile marker of the highway just after 9 p.m. She said a black male came out of the bushes, grabbing her and dragging her into the wooded area behind the Tavernier Towne Shopping Center.

The victim said he beat her and raped her. She suffered a broken bone in her face, multiple broken ribs and other injuries to her face, head, neck and back. She was taken to Mariner’s Hospital for treatment.

The victim could give little description except the fact that her attacker was a black male with afro style hair and spoke with no noticeable accent.

Major Crimes Detective Manny Cuervo responded to the scene and will be the lead investigator in the case.