MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A woman who was lying on the sand early Monday in Miami Beach was awakened by two robbers, authorities said.
The robbery and attempted rape was reported just before 4:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of the beach.
According to an arrest report, the victim fell asleep on the sand for about five minutes when she was awakened by two men who were next to her.
Police said Joseph Oliver, 26, grabbed the woman's throat, choking and suffocating her.
Police said Nesly Guerrier, 30, told the victim: "Don't talk, don't yell, don't scream. I have a gun. What do you have? Where's your jewelry? Where's your money? Where's your phone? I'm going to kill you."
Police said the victim struggled with the thieves and both men punched the woman and began searching her clothing for any valuables.
The men took the woman's car keys, two ankle bracelets, a necklace, and an iPhone 7 Plus with a wallet case, the report said.
The victim told detectives that the incident lasted for about 15 minutes.
She said Oliver took off her shirt, causing her sports bra to lift up above her breasts.
Police said Guerrier began yelling at the victim: "He is going to (expletive) you."
The victim told authorities that Oliver then pulled down her workout pants and lowered his shorts before moving closer to her.
She said Guerrier held her down as she pleaded with the men to let her go.
Police said the men did let the woman go, but not before Oliver punched her in the face, causing the woman to bleed.
According to the arrest report, the victim suffered scratches to her face and neck and a facial contusion.
After the men ran away, the woman also ran to the 2100 block of Miami Beach Drive, where she flagged down a security guard who called 911.
Two officers spotted the suspects in the 900 block of Lincoln Road.
Police said Oliver was using the victim's phone to try to hail an Uber when they found him. They said the victim identified Oliver as the primary aggressor in the attack.
Authorities said Oliver confessed to his involvement in the robbery and attempted rape.
Detectives said Guerrier confessed to meeting the victim on the beach after going to Mango's with Oliver, but said that he left the beach, leaving Oliver alone with the victim.
The victim told detectives that the men told her they had a gun while they were threatening her, but said that she never saw a weapon.
Both men were arrested on charges of armed robbery, false imprisonment and attempted sexual battery.
Oliver appeared in court Tuesday and was ordered held in lieu of a $260,000 bond. He was also ordered to not have contact with the victim and will be placed on house arrest if he posts bail.
Guerrier refused to appear in court.