A bizarre and violent encounter in South Florida ended with a woman hospitalized and a man facing felony charges after police say he ran her over with an SUV because she refused to let him sniff her feet.
Authorities in Aventura, Florida, identified the suspect as 28-year-old Elmoncy Sercle, who was arrested on aggravated battery charges.
The incident took place outside the Serena Hotel, where Sercle had arranged to meet the victim to purchase sneakers.
From Foot Fetish to Felony
According to an arrest affidavit, the two connected through the dating app Seeking. When they met in the hotel room, the victim told police that Sercle immediately asked to smell her feet. She refused, explaining, “I didn’t feel comfortable with that.”
The victim also reportedly told Sercle that if he wanted to purchase her used sneakers, he would need to pay $1,000. Police say the exchange escalated when Sercle grabbed the shoes and fled.
The woman chased him to the parking lot, where surveillance footage shows him making a three-point turn before allegedly striking her with his vehicle.
Victim’s Injuries and Arrest
The woman suffered road rash and bruising to her back, arms, and chest. She required immediate medical attention but survived.
Police tracked Sercle down after he allegedly tried to book another room at the same hotel days later. Records show he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
The victim, a professional foot model who wished to remain anonymous, told Local 10 News she has encountered men with foot fetishes before but nothing this extreme.
“By the grace of God, I’m still standing today,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of people who have foot fetishes, obviously, and nobody has ever done anything to this caliber.”
Prior Incidents and Ongoing Case
Investigators also revealed Sercle has been linked to other incidents of similar behavior, though details have not been released. The case remains under investigation, and Sercle is being held on aggravated battery charges.
