MESA, AZ (CBS5) -
Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies are looking for a possible rape suspect in east Mesa.
Sgt. Brandon Jones said deputies were searching the area of 96th Street and Birchwood Avenue after a woman told police she was sexually assaulted by a white man who is 5'10'' and 20 to 30 years old.
Jones said the woman told them she was walking through a wash when the suspect grabbed her.
"We're going to obviously continue talking with her and try to get a sketch perhaps and go from there," Jones said. "We are asking for the public's help at this point."
"[We] did a complete search with our aerial unit, as well as with K-9, SWAT and Mesa PD," Jones said.
MCSO said Stevenson Elementary and Taft Elementary schools were placed on lockdown.
Jones said they questioned a man in the neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. Jones said he was not the suspect and was released.
Kimberly McCollum, whose mother lives nearby, said she was not surprised by what happened.
"There is just so much going on around here. I'm not surprised. You really have to watch yourself around here," she said.
The victim was taken to the hospital. It was not clear if she knew the attacker.
Stay with cbs5az.com and CBS 5 News as this story develops.
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