N Miami Street Vendor Accused Of Sex Assault
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A street vendor accused of sexually assaulting a woman is being questioned by police.
The woman told police she had left work around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and was waiting at a bus stop on 27th Avenue at 79th Street when she was approached by man selling perfume. After telling him she wasn't interested in buying anything, the woman said he left.
A short time later he came back armed with a gun and forced her onto a bus with him, according to police.
The pair got off the bus in front of an apartment complex at NE 148th Street and NE 18th Avenue. There the man sexually assaulted the woman at gun point and stole her money. She managed to get away and call police.
Women at the 79th Street bus stopon Thursday were horrified when they heard what had happened.
"It's impossible to believe, you know," said Jessica Reyes. "I going to tell other women to be careful because you don't know."
Katrina Wise hands out fliers for the Miami Powerhouse Church every day at the intersection near the bus stop.
"I think that is so shameful. It is disgracing. If a woman says no and you take away everything she works for, her integrity, her character, her self-esteem and you come so low and put a gun to her head, that's crazy," said Wise.
Wise said the street vendors who work at the intersection can be very aggressive.
"My prayers go out to the woman and her family. I pray for healing of her body right now. I feel terrible, it could have been me, it could have been one of my daughters," said Wise.
When officers went to the complex they found the man who reportedly assaulted the woman in one of the apartments. He was taken into custody, charges are pending.
There were several other people in the apartment and police have not said if they will face charges.