During a morning workout in Haile Plantation on Thursday morning, a woman was forced into a wooded area and molested by a homeless man, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said.
At about 9:15 a.m., the woman told police, Tyrice Marcel Phillips, 23, of Gainesville, rode by her on a bicycle near the 10000 block of 46th Blvd. as she exercised, before running up to her and asking personal questions, according to an ACSO report.
Tyrice Marcel Phillips
When the woman refused to answer Phillips’ questions, he pushed her into the woods. She told police Phillips then rubbed and grabbed her by her breasts and sides, according to the report.
She told him to stop, but he refused, according to the report. When she tried to call police, Phillips grabbed her cell phone and ran away.
Later that morning, deputies found Phillips in the 7500 block of SW 46th Blvd. wearing the same clothing described by the woman. Deputies tried to pull Phillips over on his bicycle, but he refused to stop, according to the report.
Phillips had to be physically restrained to keep him from leaving, according to the report.
After his arrest, deputies found two phones on Phillips, including the woman’s. He told police the other phone was not his.
The woman identified Phillips in a lineup. He refused questions from police about the incident.
Police arrested Phillips on charges of battery, robbery, resisting arrest and obstructing justice. Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail, where he remains as of press time in lieu of an $800,000 bond.
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