According to authorities, a woman was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a man in Miami who she believed was her rideshare driver. The man is now facing charges for his actions.
According to an arrest warrant, Alberto Angulo Lopez, aged 38, was taken into custody on Tuesday on charges of kidnapping and battery. The alleged incident took place in the early hours of February 28, 2023.
According to the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, she feels a sense of relief knowing that the person who allegedly attacked her is now in custody.
She expressed her gratitude, “I am thankful that justice is finally being served to someone who caused me so much harm.”
The victim, who is 25 years old, reported to the authorities that she and her friend had recently left Club Vendome on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, only to discover that their car had been towed. This information was stated in the warrant.
According to the warrant, the victim was under the influence of alcohol when she obtained transportation to a tow yard from a man whose last name she remembered as Lopez. However, due to her intoxicated state, she was in and out of consciousness.
According to the warrant, the woman reported that she was seated in the rear of Lopez’s vehicle when she woke up to find him touching her breasts and buttocks. Meanwhile, her friend had already gotten out of the car at the towing company.
According to the warrant, upon her friend’s return, a heated argument ensued between them. As a result, the victim decided to take a ride home with Lopez, who had claimed to be a rideshare driver. The victim had assumed that her friend had requested the ride when they left the club.
According to the warrant, Lopez assisted the victim in getting into the front passenger seat and obtained her address. However, the drive to the destination seemed to take longer than usual as Lopez took unnecessary turns to prolong the ride.
According to the warrant, Lopez repeatedly touched the victim’s genitals over her clothing while she pleaded with him to stop during the car ride.
According to NBC6, a victim of sexual assault recounted her traumatic experience where the perpetrator continuously touched her private parts despite her pushing his hand away. The victim further shared that she was having a panic attack, crying, and vocalizing her discomfort, yet the perpetrator persisted, placing his hand on her leg and continuing his unwanted actions.
After being abducted, the victim reached out to her ex-boyfriend and shared her location with him. It became apparent that Lopez had taken her on a different route instead of driving her home.
According to the warrant, Lopez persistently touched the woman’s breasts while questioning whether they were genuine, and proceeded to make another inappropriate remark.
Lopez was finally persuaded by the victim that her family was searching for her and that the authorities would be notified. Eventually, he dropped the victim off at her ex-boyfriend’s residence.
According to the warrant, Lopez requested money from her for the ride and gas, and she ended up sending him $50 through a phone app out of fear of his potential aggression towards her.
According to the warrant, Lopez was identified by the victim in a photo lineup after the victim was able to obtain his photo and number by sending him the money.
Cell phone location information and license plate reader data were analyzed by investigators to trace the path taken by Lopez from the club.
According to the warrant, Lopez was requested to meet with the police multiple times, but he failed to appear at the Miami Beach Police Department to assist with the investigation.
According to records, Lopez has been incarcerated in a Miami-Dade jail since Tuesday and is currently being held without bond. No information regarding legal representation is currently available.
