West Melbourne, FL – A violent encounter outside a local movie theater has left a woman traumatized and a man facing multiple felony charges, including kidnapping, burglary with battery, and battery by strangulation.
According to the West Melbourne Police Department, 34-year-old Sean Douglas Knutsen followed his victim into her car after a movie at AMC Theaters on Norfolk Parkway and launched a terrifying attack that investigators say nearly turned deadly. During the movie, the victim stated that Knutsen tried to stick his hand up her skirt which she stopped and told him not to touch her.
The Attack
After being refused a hug by the victim, police say Knutsen shoved the victim up against his car door. She then got away from him and headed to her vehicle. He followed her. When she opened her do, he shoved her into her own vehicle, got on top of her, and repeatedly slammed her head against the inside passenger door. He then put his hand over her mouth, cutting off her ability to breathe, and attempted to strip away her clothing. During the assault, he chillingly warned her: “Next time I will take it further.” He then got up, went to his vehicle and fled the scene.