Man accused of sexually assaulting woman near Fort Myers Beach

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. A 35-year -old man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman, the Lee County Sheriffs Office said.

The victim was walking from the beach on Thursday when she encountered Samuel Owen Vance, deputies said. After some conversation, Vance led the woman through an alley near the Fort Myers Beach Plaza on San Carlos Boulevard, claiming it was a shortcut to a friend’s house.

Vance then sexually assaulted the woman in the alley, deputies said.

Deputies eventually found the woman at a nearby gas station. She directed them to the alley, where they found and arrested Vance, according to the sheriff’s office.

He’s also a suspect in a burglary that happened prior to the assault, officials said.

Vance is in custody facing charges of sexual assault, burglary of an occupied dwelling, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and larceny petty theft with a $132,000 bond.