Bradenton man left a note on her car saying she’s ‘cute.’ Then he tried to rape her, cops say

A 31-year-old Bradenton man is charged with armed burglary and attempted sexual assault after he broke into a woman’s apartment and tried to rape her at knife point, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Matthew Childers saw the victim at a local restaurant on June 30 and left an anonymous note on her car saying, “I think you’re cute. I don’t want to seem creepy.”

Childers broke into the victim’s apartment just before 3 a.m. the next morning, July 1, according to the arrest report.

Deputies say Childers walked into the victim’s bedroom and stood at the end of her bed holding a large hunting knife. She woke up and immediately fought back, suffering several cuts to her hands during the struggle.

Childers ultimately ran from the apartment, leaving behind a roll of duct tape he had brought with him, deputies say.

The victim did not know Childers, but was able to provide a detailed description of him to law enforcement.

An ensuing investigation quickly developed Childers as a person of interest and he was initially charged with burglary on July 1. He posted bond a week later and was released.

The investigation continued and more evidence was gathered to subsequently obtain an arrest warrant for attempted sexual assault with a deadly weapon. That warrant was served on Wednesday and Childers was booked backed into the Manatee County jail on both charges.

During a July 1 interview with detectives, Childers was asked whether his DNA and fingerprints would be found in the victim’s apartment or the roll of duct tape he left behind, to which he replied, “Hopefully not,” according to the report.

He remains in custody on bonds totaling $150,000.