Investigators have released a sketch in an attempted sexual assault in Sterling that was interreupted by a Loudoun sheriff's deputy.

The deputy was responding to a call around 9 p.m. when she heard a woman screaming. "She was just screaming. He was on top of her," deputy Aleksandra Klwalski said.

"I said, 'Sheriff's office! Get off of her!' At that point in time, he looked at me and just took off." Klwalski said the man was on top of the woman, beating her and trying to take off her clothes.

The man ran from the area and the deputy gave chase. He eluded police, however, despite their efforts, which included setting up a perimeter and bringing a canine unit to the scene.

The victim said that she was walking home when the suspect grabbed her and tried to rape her. She described him as a dark-skinned Hispanic man, 5'5" tall, 170 pounds with dark brown hair.

The attack happened on a cul-de-sac on North Itacha Court in Sterling, in the front yard of someone's house. The attacker apparently didn't see Klwalski's cruiser parked on the same street.

Faban Loza lives nearby with two daughters. "Now I just got to keep an eye on them a little bit closer."

The victim, who only speaks Spanish, thanks Klwalski. "At 2:30 in the morning I was calling my mom. She was just proud. She was saying you are my hero."

Anyone with information is asked to call Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. A reward up to $1,000 is being offered.

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