Alleged Broward Bedroom Intruder Wanted "Someplace To Chill"

DANIA BEACH (CBS4) - The Broward Sheriff's Office says a Dania Beach woman was attacked in her home early Tuesday morning while she dozed off in front of her bedroom television.

Amy Levi, 27, told deputies she was taking a catnap in her bedroom when she heard a noise coming from her living room. Ignoring what she heard, Levy went back to sleep only to be awakened by an intruder.

That's when Levi told police the man, later identified as Eric Martinez, 21, reeking of the smell of alcohol, allegedly grabbed Levi and threw her on her bed, he then hit her in the mouth and choked her.

"I called 9-1-1.  He started choking me.  I was begging him to get off of me.  He said if you scream, I'll slit your throat," Levi told CBS4's Joan Murray.

Levi says she knew in order to survive she would have to gain her attacker's trust. Levi told authorities that Martinez then told her his name was Eric and that he didn't want to hurt her, he simply "wanted someplace to chill." She convinced him to go outside her front door for a cigarette.

Once at the doorway, she says Martinez started urging her to go back inside.  "I said I don't want to go back in."  She started screaming and a neighbor came to her aid,  the suspect fled on a bicycle.

Levi was able to get a good look of her attacker and worked with BSO sketch artist to create a composite sketch of Martinez.

The day following Broward Sheriff's Office detectives caught up to Martinez, who has two distinct piercing on his bottom lip and a piercing in his nose, at a homeless outreach center. Martinez is charged with burglary, battery, false imprisonment and petit theft.

Authorities suspect that there may be more victims out there and encourage anyone with information about any criminal activity committed by Martinez to call BSO Det. Holly Tucker at (954) 518-0138, or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers of Broward County at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.