A man was arrested after a woman made a 911 call disguised as a pizza order to express her fear for her life, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the call around 3:43 a.m. Oct. 19, after the Sheriff’s Office communications center received a pizza order, which is a recognized signal for help.
Upon arrival in Pierson, deputies found a man, later identified as Luis Hernandez-Moncayo, on top of a woman. The deputies separated him from the woman, who appeared “extremely distraught,” according to the report. She told deputies that Hernandez-Moncayo had tried to sexually assault her. The victim later calmed down and explained that she and Hernandez-Moncayo were friends who had planned to hang out socially.
But, she said his behavior changed after he consumed alcohol, making her feel unsafe and leading to the 911 call. She told deputies that the man threw her to the ground and tried to assault her.
“I can’t say enough about the great work shown in this video and the smart thinking of this victim who figured out a way to call for help,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.
The woman declined to go to the hospital, and deputies on the scene reported that she had no visible injuries.
When questioned, Hernandez-Moncayo claimed that the encounter was consensual. He was arrested and charged with felony battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and attempted sexual battery, and was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. Bail has been set at $12,500.
