A 24-year-old Tampa woman was recently attacked during her workout at the fitness center in her apartment complex.
Nashali Alma told WFLA-TV that she wasn't concerned about letting the man into the gym because she had seen him there before.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred at the Inwood Park Apartment Complex on January 22.
Alma says she got up when she finished her workout and the man, who didn't say a word, just walked up to her and put his hands on her waist.
“As soon as he was approaching me, I pushed him," she said.
She told him to get away from her and he began chasing her around the gym. He was able to pin her down, but she fought him off and got away.
“When it was happening, I actually had no fear,” said Alma. “I am a body builder and I’m actually pretty strong, so in my mind, he was kind of equal to me.”
The attacker, who was identified as Xavier Thomas-Jones, fled the scene but police caught up with him the next day. He is facing multiple charges including sexual battery and kidnapping.
Source: WFLA-TV