Woman Attacked By Alleged 'Coral Gables Groper' Speaks Out After His Arrest
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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – One of the women attacked by the alleged "Coral Gables Groper" is speaking out after his arrest.
Rodolfo Coll-Torres, 22, was in jail at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Thursday after facing a judge in bond court.
He was charged with several crimes in the alleged attack of at least six women, including one last week.
The woman attacked a week ago spoke to CBS4 about what happened, remaining anonymous for her safety.
"I'm happy the police caught him," she said, relieved.
New to South Florida, the young woman said Coll-Torres attacked her as she walked her dog near SW 8th St. and Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables last week.
"I noticed the guy coming back and forth on his bicycle. I didn't think, 'I'm his target,'" she explained, saying she wasn't afraid.
But as she turned toward home, she said she became alarmed as Coll-Torres was clearly following her.
"I think because I was with my dog, he was afraid of her – she's a German Shepard. So every time he was near me, he would drive fast. That's why I didn't think he was gonna do anything," she said. "At some point, he was just waiting for me in the corner and threw a stone at my head."
Her head was shaking and bleeding.
The woman showed CBS4 the softball-sized rock Coll-Torres threw at her head and the blood-stained hoodie she was wearing.
After last week's attack, she said she's terrified to leave her new home.
"Every car that goes by I'm afraid they're gonna throw a stone at me. Or I'm still afraid of every bicycle that goes by me on the street. I'm afraid somebody is gonna do something," she said.
In bond court Thursday, Coll-Torres put on translator headphones as the public defender asked him how long he's been in the Miami area. He replied, in Spanish, that he's been in Miami a little over a year with only estranged family here.
The 22 year old has no job, and said he is physically disabled and has an appointment with a psychiatrist next month.
The public defender then asked him, "Sir, if there's any way possible to get you into a hospital so you're not sitting in jail with a bond you're unable to post, would you like us to look into that for you?"
Coll-Torres said yes, but Judge Mindy Glazer wasn't having it.
"Your bond is $7,500," Judge Glazer told Coll-Torres. "Good luck to you, sir. And we're gonna pass on the hospital."
Coral Gables police said more charges are possible as they investigate other similar crimes they believe Coll-Torres committed.
At least another five women have reported he groped them inappropriately – one of them saying he threw a rock at her head, too.
Coll-Torres must stay in jail until he posts bond on the most serious charge of aggravated battery.