A woman was grabbed by the neck and forced to the ground on a West Palm Beach sidewalk outside a Hook Fish and Chicken restaurant Saturday morning, and police say they need the public's help tracking down the man responsible. The West Palm Beach Police Department has identified 41-year-old Montel Kanute Creed as the suspect in the attack, which happened near Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and North Tamarind Avenue around 8:30 a.m.
According to WPEC, the police department's Special Victims Unit is asking the public's help for information regarding the assault. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows Creed approaching the female victim on the sidewalk before the attack escalated.
Police say that when the woman tried to walk away, Creed grabbed her by the neck and forced her to the ground. A nearby witness told police he saw the victim struggling and called out to Creed, interrupting the encounter, according to the report.
Officers Found Creed Nearby Minutes Later
Per WPBPD, officers responded minutes after the witness called out and found Creed nearby. Investigators believe the victim and Creed are known to each other, though the station's report does not elaborate on the nature of that relationship.
Police are now relying on the public to fill in gaps in the investigation, including anyone who may have witnessed the confrontation or captured it on dashcam or security cameras.
How To Contact Investigators
Police urged witnesses, people with relevant footage, and anyone who has had contact with Creed to reach out to Detective Hannah Skotzke. She can be reached at 561-822-1960 or by email at [email protected].
This is not the first time a Hook Fish and Chicken location in West Palm Beach has drawn police attention. In a separate, unrelated case, surveillance footage showed 23-year-old Kaesha Bell getting out of her car with a hammer in a drive-through line at a Hook Fish and Chicken, striking the vehicle's windows and attempting to hit the victim inside, according to a report from KTVL. Bell was booked on charges of burglary with assault or battery, aggravated battery, and criminal mischief in that incident.
For now, investigators in the sidewalk assault case are focused on identifying anyone who saw what happened or who might know Creed's whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to come forward to help move the investigation forward.
