CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested a wanted suspect after, they said, he followed a woman inside her Coral Gables high-rise and attacked her before he exposed himself.
On Wednesday afternoon, Coral Gables Police arrested 31-year-old Evert Andres Esquivel Pichardo after they used surveillance video and the victim’s description to identify him.
He appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Thursday morning.
“Sir, you were arrested for one count of burglary with an assault or battery and one count of indecent exposure,” said Glazer.
According to a police report, Esquivel Pichardo followed the victim, who is in her 20s, into her apartment at the Life Time high-rise along the 200 block of South Dixie Highway, May 19.
The report states the suspect entered and burglarized the woman’s residence before he pushed her to the ground to expose himself to her. He then began to perform a sexual act on himself.
The victim got up, and Esquivel Pichardo ran.
According to the arrest report, the suspect drove out of the complex’s parking garage in a black Hyundai Kona. A red light camera captured his license plate, revealing the SUV was registered to him.
The victim immediately called 911 after he fled the scene.
Esquivel Pichardo’s arrest comes as a relief for Life Time residents.
“So happy. I mean, I just saw the news this morning,” said resident Michelle Jimenez, “and I was pretty scared. I mean, I’m here by myself, so, scary.”
Surveillance video from the parking garage and several street cameras captured Esquivel Pichardo’s car and detectives were able to link his vehicle back to him.
Once police identified the subject, they were able to find a mugshot from a previous arrest and conducted a six-photo lineup for the female victim to identify the criminal. She chose the photo of Pichardo.
A search warrant was served at his home on Wednesday. Clothing that he was wearing at the time of the incident was recovered.
Further investigation showed the suspect was a contract worker who worked for the parking company that services the complex’s garage. Detectives believe the suspect used his employee key card time to gain entrance to the garage.
“Wouldn’t think here at my home, but, I mean, definitely now, like, will keep an eye out,” said Jimenez.
Esquivel Pichardo is currently being held without bond and has an immigration hold.
7News has reached to the parking company that the suspect was believed to have been contracted with, but as of Thursday afternoon, has not received a response.
Detectives believe he might have done this before. If you believe you are a victim, or have any information that could help police in their investigation, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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