Police identified the man from a description given by the hotel worker who was attacked, the Tampa Police Department said.

TAMPA – A registered sex offender was arrested this morning (Feb. 24) in connection with an attack on a hotel worker earlier this week, the Tampa Police Department said.

John C. Eckhard, 41, of Tampa, was charged with one count each of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and kidnapping with the intent to harm or terrorize.

Eckhart is accused of following a hotel employee into a public restroom at the Marriott at 1001 N Westshore Blvd. early Tuesday. The woman looked into the mirror and saw him standing behind her. He threatened her with a knife.

During a physical struggle, the woman screamed into her portable radio, which she had because she is a hotel employee, and Eckhard fled. The woman was able to provide enough information
to create a digital composite sketch.

Police said that late Friday (Feb. 23) they saw a man who resembled the man in the composite sketch. The man, later identified as Eckhard, agreed to allow officers to look inside his backpack. The officers said they found a pair of gloves that resembled the woman’s description of gloves her attacker was wearing. Also found in his backpack was a knife similar to the one left at the scene of the crime after it was used to threaten the woman.

The woman also identified Eckhard in a photo pack. Police said the composite sketch enabled them to identify Eckhard.

Tampa Police | Crime | Battery | Kidnapping | Arrests | Tampabay News

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