A Florida woman fought off a man in her apartment complex's gym last month when he allegedly attempted to assault her. The 24-year-old Tampa resident, Nashali Alma, was working out in the Inwood Park Apartment Complex gym, when Xaviar Thomas-Jones apparently approached her and attempted to grab her. Alma told the man to leave her alone, but he continued to pursue her.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released a video that shows Thomas-Jones chasing Alma around the gym and eventually pinning her to the ground as she tries to call 911. Alma escaped Thomas-Jones' grip and ran to a nearby apartment. Thomas-Jones was arrested the next day, Fox 13 reported, but not before he reportedly attempted to engage with another potential victim.
The attack happened during a late-night gym session.
Alma was working out in the facility around 10:40 p.m. when Thomas-Jones came to the door and attempted to get in, but the door was locked, according to the sheriff's office. She reportedly told officers that she let him into the gym because she had seen him at the facility before. She said she was working out with weights when he approached her and tried to grab her around the waist, Fox 13 reported.
The video shows that Thomas-Jones eventually gets ahold of Alma and pins her to the ground. She fights back and is able to get him off her, run away, and call the police. According to an arrest affidavit, Thomas-Jones reportedly positively identified himself in the surveillance video, Fox 13 reported.
"The more fight you put the more they want to give up," Alma said in an interview with the news outlet. "If I keep going, I keep pushing, he's going to stop. He's going to let go and he finally did."
Thomas-Jones also apparently pursued another woman.
Deputies were not able to locate Thomas-Jones until the next day. He allegedly returned to the apartment complex around noon, according to the sheriff's office. He reportedly watched another woman on her balcony "for several minutes" before knocking on the woman's door. The woman did not know he had been watching her, and he asked if she wanted to "hang out," Fox 13 reported. The woman declined his offer.
Thomas-Jones allegedly then attempted to enter the woman's apartment, but she screamed, and her fiancé reportedly chased him away. Deputies apprehended Thomas-Jones within 24 hours of the incident. The second victim, who was not identified in the affidavit, was able to positively identify Thomas-Jones in a live lineup.
He messed with the wrong woman.
It is unknown if Thomas-Jones was familiar with Alma, but Fox 13 reported that he lived in the same complex. Alma is extremely physically active and knew that she could handle her attacker.
"When it was happening, I actually had no fear," Alma told Fox 13. "I am a bodybuilder, and I'm actually pretty strong, so in my mind, he was kinda equal to me."
Alma is an online coach and fitness trainer.
Her Instagram account has more than 10,000 followers. She has shared hundreds of her posts in the gym showing how fit and strong she is. The sheriff's office shared the attack video on its Facebook page, and commenters have been shocked by how she fought off Thomas-Jones.
"This clip is horrifying. Thank God you fought him off," one person wrote. "This could have ended up very differently. Always let people use their own passes to get entry, especially when you're alone."
"Calling him a man is insulting!!! Those mans who show and use power strength on women's, weak people's for the purpose of evil act are just disguisting and inhumane," another person wrote. "But this young lady in return gave him good lesson. And she is a brave and never give up."
Thomas-Jones is facing multiple charges.
Deputies arrested Thomas-Jones on January 23. He is facing charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping. He is being held at Faulkenburg Road Jail.
"I was disgusted by the suspect's actions, how he preyed on this young woman," said Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release. "This woman's strength, courage, and determination are inspiring. I know that her bravery to share this story will impact the lives of many other women."
