Registered sex offender arrested in assault on elderly woman in parking garage

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A woman was exercising early Sunday morning in Coral Gables when she was grabbed and sexually assaulted.

She was able to eventually get away.

Police have since arrested Gary Arroliga, 34, a registered sex offender who was released from prison earlier this year.

The incident happened on Southwest 8th Street.

Police say the elderly woman was exercising when Arroliga grabbed her by the neck and forced her into a nearby parking garage.

According to investigators, a car passing by interrupted the crime, allowing the victim to get away.

Detectives said the suspect chased the victim for a block.

Police identified Arroliga right away and put him under surveillance before bringing him in.

“The suspect has been known to commit these kind of acts before,” said Coral Gables Police Sgt. Alejandro Escobar. “Our criminal investigative unit is trying to link him with other possible victims.”

Police say Arroliga may be linked to as many as two other victims.


About the Author
Bridgette Matter headshot

Bridgette Matter joined the Local 10 News team as a reporter in July 2021. Before moving to South Florida, she began her career in South Bend, Indiana and spent six years in Jacksonville as a reporter and weekend anchor.

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