Man Charged In Violent Sexual Assault Held Without Bail
WINTHROP (CBS) – A Lynn man charged with violently attacking a woman in Winthrop while his young daughter was in the back seat of his car was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.
Prosecutors say Gerardo Portillo followed a 25-year-old woman Monday night as she walked down Revere Street.
Portillo allegedly asked the woman to get in his car and when she refused, prosecutors say he grabbed the victim around the throat.
The victim and Portillo did not know each other. After Portillo grabbed the woman, he is accused of trying to pull down her underwear and punching her in the face.
Justin Rowe heard screaming and ran to help.
"I saw the blood dripping down her arms, so I knew it was bad," said Rowe. "Then she lifted up her hand for a second, and her whole eye was swollen and already starting to bruise."
The woman suffered a broken nose, broken orbital bone, and other bruising and swelling.
Surveillance video shows a silver car following the woman shortly before she was attacked.
Police say Portillo's three-year-old daughter was in the back of his car while he committed the assault.
Rowe was able to get a license plate number, leading to the arrest.
"You have to be insane to even think about striking a girl in the face, so he deserves any justice he gets," said Rowe.
A judge ordered Portillo held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. He faces charges that include assault with intent to rape.
The investigation could broaden, according to police.
"My concern is that this may not have been his first time," said Winthrop Police Chief Terrence Delehanty. "So we're encouraging all females that had similar circumstances with a grey Honda Civic to call their local police departments."
