Woman Attacked in Parking Garage

[Dana Sheets]

http://www.dailylobo.com/

Woman attacked in UNMH parking garage
By Felicia Fonseca

Published: Friday, September 10, 2004

Les Fertic, 24, has been charged with attempted rape after he allegedly attacked a woman in her car Wednesday morning in a UNM Hospital parking structure. He is being held at the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center on a $125,000 cash or surety bond. Fertic is also facing seven other felony charges from the incident. UNMH security acted quickly after the victim, who is in her 30s, screamed as Fertic allegedly jumped into her car and attacked her, UNM Police Department Cmdr. James Daniels said. "Hospital security was right there," Daniels said. "They detained him, and he was held until we got there. This all happened very quickly."

The incident took place at 2:26 a.m. on the lower level of the parking structure on the west side of the hospital's emergency room. The parking structure is well lit and has surveillance cameras.

Daniels said the suspect was walking close to the victim as the two approached the elevator and then entered together. He said the victim felt nervous about being alone in the elevator with Fertic, and she walked to her car as quickly as possible to unlock the doors.

For a short time, Fertic disappeared, Daniels said. As the victim attempted to lock her car door, Fertic allegedly jumped in and attacked her, Daniels said. "We firmly believe he was trying to steal the car," Daniels said. "He ended up attacking her inside."

Fertic and the victim are not affiliated with the University. According to metro court records, Fertic has a warrant dating back to May 29, 2002 for failure to appear and failure to pay fines imposed for driving without a license.

Crystal Carrasco, volunteer coordinator at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, said 10 to 15 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by a person whom the victim does not know. "This is very much the minority of cases," she said. Carrasco said there is no cookie-cutter recommendation that can be given to prevent sexual assaults.

"Nobody made a choice here except for that man," she said. "The important thing was that she did whatever she needed to be as safe as possible."

The victim suffered bruises and cuts and was released from the hospital early Wednesday morning, Daniels said. Fertic is also being charged with tampering with evidence, attempt to commit capture, and aggravated battery with great bodily harm among four other felony charges.

Daniels said the suspect was walking close to the victim as the two approached the elevator and then entered together. He said the victim felt nervous about being alone in the elevator with Fertic, and she walked to her car as quickly as possible to unlock the doors.

We've got to listen to that little voice inside when it says something is wrong. This woman is very lucky there were security guards nearby.

[KZMiller]

Hear hear! I'm glad she survived. What a nightmare. I hope they lock him up for a long time. So now comes the analysis. Someone gets into an elevator with you, you feel nervous. What do you do?

I would try to return to the lobby or other public area rather than get out in the parking area and ask for an escort? Certainly ready myself, certainly report that there was someone lurking around the parking garage.

What does everyone else think?

Kami

[Ryokan]

I'm thinking it's not a bad idea to have a pre-rehearsed excuse/behaviour to get out of uncomfortable/potentially bad situations.

How often do we do things we don't want to out of politeness?

So. . . how do you get out of this gracefully? Not entering an elevator with someone else, or exiting before the doors close.

<Frantic searching of purse/briefcase> "Oops, I forgot something at the office."

Anyone else have stock "excuses" for getting out of bad situations?

[Norm Abrahamson]

I agree that it makes sense to ready yourself and get out of the elevator quickly at a public floor. But how do you report a feeling of discomfort due to the presence of another person? To whom do you report it? If anybody knows, how would a police officer respond to a report like that?

Sincerely,
Norm Abrahamson

[Bill Glasheen]

God bless you, Norm. Nothing personal about what I'm going to say.

F*** what others think or say. This is a classic case out of a DeBecker book. Our genes exist because somebody (male or female) listened to that little voice in the head, and did what was necessary rather than rationalize it away or worry about being rude. The voice is a product of natural selection.

You go straight to the security office or to other people and say exactly what you think and/or feel.

"There's a man out there, and he makes me feel very uncomfortable. He looks like such-and-such. He came from nowhere and followed me into an elevator. I have a very, very bad feeling that I can't explain."

God knows that there are places in this country (such as Charlottesville, Virginia) where a serial rapist has been acting with impunity for years. Police would love to get someone to report information like this.

I am blessed with a sixth sense either directly, or know to tune in to others around me (even a dog) who have that sixth sense. And I listen. It's a good thing.

I have something I do quite often if I feel I am being followed (not for rape, mind you...). I either make an abrupt about-face, or I start walking (or driving) in a big circle. The person either is going to follow you and show their hand, or they will find a reason to go elsewhere. When they have gone elsewhere and I am sure they have lost contact with me, then I proceed to where I want to go. But I absolutely will not go to my intended destination (unless it is very public) unless I know they have either gone a different way or they have communicated to me that they are following me.

Don't explain. Don't apologize. Just do something that will make it awkward for someone to follow you. Trust me...you'll sleep better at night when you know how to do this.

- Bill

[KZMiller]

I worked security for awhile, and yes, I gladly received even the most vague reports of any kind to investigate, if for no other reason than to relieve my boredom. I was happy to walk folks out to their cars, which happened only a couple of times over the course of three years. (Part of that may be due to the fact that it was a closed campus and people felt safer and part of it may have been that I was female). Listen to the voice. The voice is good. And let others benefit from your voice too, in case they habitually put theirs on hold.

A couple of times I was driving home and I felt like someone was following me in their car, and they went so far as to follow me around the block. It was weird. I didn't stop, and I certainly didn't go home. Unfortunately I couldn't get the license plate #. Maybe it was coincidence, but I don't regret driving around until I lost them through a light. Now I have a cell phone. Incidentally, if someone is following you, or being aggressive with you on the road, pick up the cell phone. You don't have to even dial. Just make a big show of putting it up to your ear and looking their way several times. They'll take the next exit.

Kami