Masked Gunman Breaks Into Orlando Apartment, Records Sexual Assault
ORLANDO, Fla. — A 26-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into an Orlando apartment, sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint, and recording the violent attack on his cellphone, according to the Orlando Police Department.
The suspect, Wesley Hernandez Rios, reportedly entered the apartment on Amberly Court wearing a mask and armed with a handgun. Police said he damaged the screen door and forced his way in through the back sliding glass door before making his way to the victim’s bedroom.
Once inside, Hernandez Rios used his body weight to restrain the victim and held a pillow over her face to smother her while sexually assaulting her. Investigators say he recorded the assault on his phone, a detail that has added a disturbing layer to an already brutal crime.
The incident came to an end when the victim’s roommate, alerted by a motion-triggered surveillance app, saw the intruder on camera and called 911. Police responded quickly, arriving just as Hernandez Rios attempted to flee. Officers stopped him before he could get into his car and placed him under arrest.
Police confirmed that the victim has known Hernandez Rios for approximately three months. It is not yet clear what their relationship was, but authorities believe it may have played a role in the attack.
Hernandez Rios is facing the following charges:
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Sexual battery with a deadly weapon
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Burglary of an occupied dwelling with a firearm
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Attempted homicide
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False imprisonment with a weapon
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Resisting an officer without violence
He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon for his initial hearing. Investigators are currently reviewing the video evidence and other forensic materials collected from the scene.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic and acquaintance-based violence, and the vital role home surveillance can play in catching violent offenders in real time.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, help is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
