Police: Man claiming to be maintenance worker attacks, sexually assaults woman in her apartment

ARLINGTON, Va. - Arlington County Police are searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside her apartment Sunday. The alleged incident happened around 9 a.m. at The Atrium in the 1500 block of Key Boulevard.

Police say it appears that the incident that left the victim in the hospital with significant injuries was a random crime.

Investigators say the suspect showed up at the apartment building and started banging on doors claiming he was a maintenance worker. When the victim opened her door, police say he attacked her, sexually assaulted her, and then fled the area. The suspect is described as a black man in his early 20s, approximately 6-foot tall with a slim build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with dark pants and carrying a backpack.

One resident told FOX 5 he thinks he had seen the suspect before. "I do think I saw him before. I think he tried to get in this building, probably to case it out and now, this morning, was his attack," he said.

Residents say there's a concierge desk in the building and people who don't live there must be buzzed in. There is a large surveillance camera visible at the entrance. Police said they believe the suspect was able to piggyback behind someone else going into the building.

Police ask anyone with information about the information to call 703-228-4183 or 866-411-TIPS (8477).