Woman assaulted at Daytona Beach motel

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A North Carolina woman checked into the Conch House Motel in Daytona Beach around 9 o'clock Tuesday night, hoping for a relaxing beach side getaway. Chief Mike Chitwood says the Carolina woman was greeted by a man handing out fliers for a nearby pizza joint.

"Hey, welcome to Daytona Beach. You're welcome to free pizza if you need a pizza when you settle into your room. Call me. I'll deliver it and she strikes up a conversation with him," said Chief Chitwood.

It seemed innocent enough, but the Chief said it wasn't innocent at all. "Clearly as she's talking to him, he's listening to what rooms she's going to be assigned to," said Chief Chitwood.

The woman settles into her second story room. According to the police report, she was sound asleep when she heard some noise coming from the back balcony.

"So she puts the chain on the door, opens the door and here is this guy with these big white glasses on she was talking to in lobby. He forces his way into the room, knocks her on the bed," said Chief Chitwood.

Police says 25 year old John Garcia ripped the woman's clothes off as he threatened her with a knife. "He's going to cut her and starts to attempt to rape her," said Chief Chitwood. "During the course of the fight, he punches her in the mouth. She bleeds on him she bleeds on bedspread. She starts screaming for help."

As the woman screamed and fought back, police say Garcia got spooked, ripped the phone out of the wall and ran off. That's when the victim darted to the front office at the motel to get help.

"When she gives the description to my officers, big white novelty sunglasses, the shirt, the description, the responding officers say that's 'John Garcia he's always out there with fliers'" said Chief Chitwood.

Officers found Garcia just a few blocks away and had him in custody within 45 minutes. Chief Chitwood says Garcia had fresh blood on his shirt. He's now charged with Home Invasion Robbery and Attempted Sexual Battery.