$5K reward offered after Hillsborough deputies identify suspect wanted in attempted rape case

LAKE MAGDALENE, Fla. - Deputies have identified the suspect wanted for aggressively attacking and attempting to sexually batter a woman in broad daylight late last month in Lake Magdalene.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they have positively identified the man as 42-year-old Ron Smith, who also goes by the name Stephen Smith. Detectives say they have now obtained a warrant for Smith's arrest in connection to the attempted sexual battery case.

Investigators say the attack happened around 9 a.m. on Nov. 27, when Smith initially approached the woman along Central Avenue North near Celestial Oaks Drive.

"The suspect originally approached her, he asked her first and cigarettes and money. She said no to both and continue to walk south," said Jessica Lang with HCSO.

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They said Smith soon caught up with the victim near 138th Avenue East, and was armed with a knife. The sheriff's office said his behavior quickly escalated and things turned violent.

"The suspect approached her once more, pushed her to the ground and attempted to sexually batter her," continued Lang.

Ron Smith, aka Stephen Smith (Photo: HCSO)

It's not clear if the victim was hurt or how she got away.

"During the attack, the suspect stated he had a knife, leaving the victim in fear for her life," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "His behavior was clearly escalating during this entire encounter."

Smith's identity was unknown at the time, but arrest records from the Tampa Police Department show that he was arrested days later on Dec. 2 in an unrelated robbery case. According to HCSO jail records, he was released on a $7,500 bond three days later on Dec. 5.

Smith is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs 170 pounds. He is homeless and known to be in the Ybor City area.

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to his location and arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for a cash reward.