Ariana Sawyer

asawyer@tennessean.com

Metro police are searching for the man who they say raped an 18-year-old woman while she was caring for 3-year-old twins at Hamilton Creek Recreation Center off Bell Road on Thursday afternoon.

The woman works as a nanny for the children and was with them near the swing set when she noticed a suspicious man in a black car nearby, Metro police said in a news release.

The trio left the swings and headed toward Nashville's BMX bike track, and the man followed them.

When he attacked the teen, she told the children to run away, police said. She fought back, losing a tooth in the process.

Police say the man raped her and then fled in a black four-door sedan with tinted windows, a spoiler on the back and factory wheels. It may have been a 2000s model.

The teen caught up with the children, drove them home and called the police.

She described the suspect as being of Hispanic descent, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and wearing khaki pants, a black shirt with possible black stripes and sunglasses, police said.

The Metro Sex Crimes Unit is asking anyone who knows of a man driving a vehicle with the above description to immediately contact them at 615-862-7540 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.

Reach Ariana Sawyer at 615-815-5933 and on Twitter @a_maia_sawyer.