Police look for man who attacked, tried to steal woman's keys, in Clearwater Subway

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Police in Clearwater are asking for help identifying a man seen on surveillance video trying to wrestle a woman’s keys out of her hands at a Subway restaurant. 

Police say the suspect approached a woman walking out of the sub shop at 2006 Drew St. around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and demanded her keys. 

The woman went back into the restaurant to get away from him, but he followed her inside and tried to wrangle her keys away from her. She called for help and Subway employees contacted the police. 

"I do believe someone knows this person and through that we're receiving tips that other people may have had similar interactions with this suspect," said Clearwater Police Major Natalia Illich-Hailey. 

Courtesy: Clearwater Police Department

The suspect is approximately 30 years old, 5’7" tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He has short hair and was wearing a blue jacket with white reflective stripes on the sleeve.  Police are praising the victim for her quick thinking in keeping the suspect at bay. 

"It is incredibly terrifying, but good for her for having the wherewithal to notice her surroundings and to put herself in a position she wasn’t alone with this suspect she went into the store with the employees," Illich-Hailey said. 

A nearby gas station employee said the attack left him on edge.  Employees at a few nearby businesses also reported seeing the suspect. 

"I never heard of this type of incident in this area it's usually quiet and nice here," said gas station employee Bill Lalani. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Clearwater police at 727-562-4242.