PALM BAY, Fla. — Palm Bay police believe they’ve caught the man accused of running into a teenage girl with his car, then raping her.
Nicholas Fatta’s arrest came nearly five months after the alleged attack against the 14-year-old.
When the attack was reported to have happened in May, police only had a composite sketch and DNA they collected.
They now have a suspect behind bars and DNA confirmation.
The police report said their suspect hit the girl with his car, then got out and forced her inside. It details how the suspect drove her to a remote area and allegedly raped her.
She said he then dropped her off at school, where she reported what happened to a school counselor.
But with only a composite sketch, investigators had no one with whom to confirm the DNA.
That changed in August when the victim had a chance encounter with the suspect. According to the report, it happened at her new high school.
The teen’s mom followed the man and got his license plate number. The numbers matched the car first described in the attack and police asked Fatta for a DNA sample to confirm if he was the man in the composite sketch.
The police report lists the 22-year-old as a part-time teacher.
Channel 9 learned that Fatta was a contracted employee with the Brevard County School District.
He is not registered as a teacher with the state.
Police said they will release more information on the case next week.
WFTV
