PALMETTO BAY, Fla. – Deputies say a man walked into a Palmetto Bay massage parlor, asked to use the bathroom and then tried to rape a 66-year-old woman working there.
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She was able to fight suspect Uzair Chowdhury off by biting him “really hard” and screaming for help, according to an arrest report.
According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report and statements in open court, the incident happened on Friday at Best Asian Massage Therapy at 17891 S. Dixie Highway, less than 500 feet away from MDSO’s Palmetto Bay station.
Deputies took Chowdhury, 42, into custody soon after on an unrelated warrant. He was formally arrested on an attempted sexual battery charge while in jail Tuesday.
Miami-Dade prosecutors redacted the name and location of the business from the arrest report provided to Local 10 News.
The MDSO report states that as the victim escorted Chowdhury to the bathroom, he “grabbed her and attempted to pull her shorts down,” leading her to bite him on the shoulder, causing him to release her.
“The victim then stated that she began yelling, screaming and hitting the wall, at which point her neighbor from the business next door entered the room and the victim yelled ‘help me,‘” the report states. “The victim advised that (Chowdhury) then released her and walked out of the business.”
Deputies said they found him at a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts.
Authorities said Chowdhury, who is homeless, claimed the victim’s lipstick on his shirt was from “mixing pickles,” but he later “recanted” that statement and made a confession, which was redacted from the report.
“(Chowdhury) advised that he asked the victim permission to use the restroom, which the victim allowed, then he left the business,” the report states. “(He) later recanted his statement and advised (that) while he was using it, the victim came inside the restroom with him. (Chowdhury) then denied grabbing or holding the victim.”
But authorities said he again “recanted” and made another confession.
Chowdhury also claimed that the victim asked him for $50 months ago for a massage, but he did not get one, the report states.
“(He) advised he showed up at the victim’s business today for a massage (but) stated he did not have enough money with him to pay the (victim) and he was attempting to leave the business, but the victim stopped him, at which (time) the victim’s neighbor came over and he walked out of the business,” the report states.
Chowdhury was ordered held on a $20,000 bond after appearing in court Wednesday. He was also ordered to stay away from the business.
However, the Bangladeshi national remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Wednesday afternoon not only facing criminal charges, but an immigration hold.