Woman Fights Off Knife-Wielding Attacker at Orlando, FL, Self-Storage Facility

A woman fought off a knife-wielding attacker at an Orlando, Fla., self-storage facility on Sunday after he threatened her, according to authorities. The woman was in her unit at Extra Space Storage at 3501 S. Orange Blossom Trail when Jose Rojas, 60, came up behind her. He pointed a knife at her and demanded she remove her clothes or be killed, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He said that if she screamed or didn’t do as told, he’d stab her, the victim told police.

The woman pleaded with Rojas to leave, then fought back. She grabbed the knife and pushed him out of the unit. Rojas then grabbed her by her hair and tried to pull her into the space, but she broke free and ran to the facility lobby.

Once she escaped, the victim realized Rojas had taken her phone. She found him outside the facility, where he demanded she pay him $20 for its return, which she paid. She later flagged down deputies and directed them to Rojas, who had walked down the street. He was arrested on charges of robbery and attempted sexual battery. He’s being held without bond.

Authorities aren’t sure yet how Rojas gained entry to the property, as both the gate and building require an access code.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space is a self-storage real estate investment trust that owns or operates 1,797 self-storage properties in 40 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico. The company’s properties comprise approximately 1.3 million units and 138 million square feet of rentable space.

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WESH, Woman Grabs Knife From Attacker Who Threatened to Stab Her, Deputies Say