Miami-Dade man driving Tesla accused of following woman, performing lewd act at South Miami intersection, police say
A South Florida man was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of following a woman who had just left a Miami gym and then exposing himself to her while he was driving his Tesla in South Miami, according to investigators.
According to the South Miami Police Department, the victim told investigators that she left a Brickell gym on May 15 and then began to notice that she was being followed by a gray Tesla Model Y after getting off Interstate 95 to head south on US-1 near Southwest 16th Avenue.
The victim told police that when she was stopped at an intersection in South Miami, she noticed that the driver of the Tesla, who has since been identified as Rogerio Miranda De Souza, 50, was exposing himself to her and he was engaging in a lewd act while making eye contact with her.
South Miami Police Sgt. Fernando Bosch told CBS News Miami that Miranda De Souza followed the victim aggressively before the cars came to a stop on South Dixie Highway at SW 70th St.
Bosch said the victim "looked over where the individual was at and saw him exposing himself in an indecent manner." "He would be in front of her and do brake checks and get close to her and get behind her just trying to get her attention, and when he got her attention, that is when he exposed himself," Bosch said.
The victim then called police and pulled into a gas station, and she was able to provide investigators with the driver's license plate number and description of him.
She was then able to identify him through a photo lineup, and he was arrested at his home, according to investigators.
"During the investigation, we learned another police agency close by has the same type of case with the same vehicle and same individual," Bosch said. "We fear other victims have not come forward, and we want to stop this guy from doing this. When somebody does these things, we don't think they are in their right mind."
Bosch says if anyone else thinks they have been victimized, they should call South Miami Police at 305-663-6601 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
De Souza's attorney issued a statement to CBS News Miami about the charges
CBS News Miami visited De Souza's home in Pinecrest, but no one at the residence was willing to comment. A gray Tesla was seen in the driveway.
De Souza appeared before a judge in court. The judge said, "You are charged with indecent exposure," which is a misdemeanor.
His attorney, Sam Rabin, said, "Judge, he is gainfully employed and lives with his wife and family, and there is no risk he will not show up in court. He is a comptroller for a company."
His arrest report noted that Miranda De Souza works in the real estate industry.
The judge said, "I am going to issue a bond in the amount of $1,000 and a stay-away order." The judge added, "You are not to have any contact with her, and you are to stay at least 500 feet away from her at all times."
In a statement to CBS News Miami, attorney Rabin said his firm had been retained to represent Miranda De Souza. The statement said: "Until we have had a full opportunity to review the evidence and investigate the allegations, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the case. What can be said at this stage is that Mr. Miranda De Souza, like every individual charged with a crime in this country, is entitled to the presumption of innocence."