MOBILE, Ala. — A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a downtown Mobile parking lot is being held at the Mobile Metro Jail on a list of charges that includes attempted rape, according to police.
Officers say Vincent Scott climbed into a woman’s car in the parking lot of the McDonald’s on Government Street and attacked her after she refused to give him money. He now faces nine charges, among them attempted rape, sexual abuse and robbery. Police said Scott ran from the scene but was later caught.
What witnesses described
The attack happened in daylight, and employees and customers inside the restaurant witnessed parts of it. One worker told reporters the lot was full of people eating lunch when the woman was punched and pulled into her own car moments after picking up her order. Another bystander said the episode showed the need for people nearby to step in when they see someone being hurt.
Bond and next court date
At a hearing the following day, a judge set Scott’s bond at $80,500. The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office said it had asked that he be held without bond, describing him as a flight risk who has previously failed to appear for court dates. Court records listed his next appearance for the following Monday.
Government Street runs through the heart of downtown Mobile’s medical and business district, and the incident drew attention from area residents concerned about safety around the busy corridor.