An Islamorada woman said a man attacked her behind her apartment in the early morning hours today. When she asked the man why he was hitting her, he told her it was because he loved her.
The 63 year old victim told Deputy Josh Brady it was 12:30 a.m. when she heard a knocking noise at the back door of her apartment, which is in the vicinity of the 82 mile marker of U. S. One. She opened the door and found a man – later identified as 66 year old William Roberts of Tennessee. Roberts was wearing a sweater he had taken from her vehicle, which was parked just outside the door. The victim had never seen Roberts before and had no idea who he was.
Roberts had a stick in his hand and he began to beat her with it. When she asked why he was beating her, he told her it was because he loved her.
During her struggle to get away, the victim tore off the sweater he was wearing. He reportedly had nothing else on besides a pair of white underwear. At that point, Roberts backed away from her allowing her run back inside her apartment and lock the door.
Sgt. Ralph Williams found Roberts a short distance away. He was arrested. He was charged with aggravated battery and burglary of a vehicle and he was booked into jail.