CORAL GABLES, Fla. – During bond court on Wednesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer said Gary Arroliga is a danger to the community.
The convicted felon and registered sexual predator is accused of attacking a woman on Sunday morning in Coral Gables while he was on probation. He was released from prison in May.
The SWAT team responded on Tuesday to the apartment at 601 Douglas Rd. that is listed on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s database on sexual offenders and predators and arrested him.
Arroliga, 34, is accused of grabbing the woman from behind by the neck about 6:25 a.m., on Dec. 19 near the intersection of Salzedo Street and Menores Avenue.
The victim told police officers Arroliga forced her into an underground garage and used violence and threats. A passing vehicle distracted Arroliga during the sexual attack and the victim was able to run away from the garage area. She told officers Arroliga chased her for about a block and tackled her.
There was a struggle, and she fought him off. The victim and two witnesses contributed to the composite sketch officers used to identify Arroliga.
His criminal record in Miami-Dade County includes a burglary in 2005, armed robbery in 2006, battery in 2010 and 2012, and marijuana-related charges in 2007, 2010, and 2011.
On July 23, 2012, Arroliga was charged with four counts of sexual battery, kidnapping, and two counts of armed robbery. He was convicted and sentenced on Sept. 23, 2013, to 10 years in prison.
The Florida Department of Corrections’ record shows he was released from prison on May 27 and his probation was set to end in 2026.
Arroliga is being held on Wednesday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He is facing charges of sexual battery by threats, sexual battery with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and false imprisonment.
Glazer set his bond for the sexual battery case in Coral Gables at $250,000. He will be held without bond on the probation violation. Detectives are asking anyone with information about any other cases to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Alisson Cubillos contributed to this report.
Excerpts of the police report