A Miami-based Cuban woman was taken into custody on Tuesday, accused of assaulting a United States Postal Service employee. The woman allegedly attempted to run over the postal worker with her vehicle three times and threatened to shoot her in a racially motivated attack, according to authorities.
Lourdes María Portugués, 34, is facing serious felony charges after the violent incident targeting the postal employee, an African American woman, in Little Havana.
Details of the Incident
The altercation transpired around 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday near the suspect's home in the 1000 block of Northwest 18th Place. The postal worker was on her regular mail delivery route in this predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.
The arrest report indicates the conflict began when the suspect's young son approached the postal worker to collect the mail. At that moment, Portugués allegedly shouted a racial slur at her son, warning him not to interact with the worker: "Don't talk to her, we don't speak to ne....".
When the postal worker responded that she was merely delivering the mail, Portugués grabbed a garden hose and sprayed her with water, prompting the victim to call 911.
Escalation and Threats
The situation escalated when Portugués retrieved her purse, entered her silver Lincoln Nautilus SUV, and deliberately accelerated towards the postal worker, forcing her to extend her arms over the vehicle and step back to avoid being hit.
Reversing and attempting to ram her again, the woman ran and took shelter behind a parked car. Portugués then made a U-turn at the end of the block and sped towards her once more, causing several witnesses to dash to the sidewalk for safety.
After parking, Portugués retreated into her home, shouting threats: "I'm going to shoot you, I have a gun inside my house." Her younger son told officers he saw her loading bullets into a gun in her room. When officers entered the home, they discovered a pellet gun and ammunition.
Surveillance footage from the area corroborated the postal worker's account, as noted in the arrest report.
"She got into her vehicle and attempted to hit the postal worker not once, not twice, but three times. Fortunately, the postal worker wasn't injured, and we responded to the 911 call," stated Miami Police spokesperson Mike Vega.
Court Appearance
Portugués was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
On Wednesday, Lourdes Portugués appeared in court. Charges against her include two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with prejudice motivation.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office will review the case to determine if it meets the criteria for a hate crime charge, considering the racial nature of the incident.
The judge set her bail at $15,000 and ordered her to remain under house arrest.
Court records reveal that Portugués has been previously arrested at least twice: once in 2024 for assault and another time for a drug-related charge.
Understanding the Legal Implications and Case Developments
What charges is Lourdes María Portugués facing?
Lourdes María Portugués is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and prejudice motivation, which could potentially be elevated to a hate crime charge.
How did the authorities respond to the incident?
Authorities responded after the postal worker called 911. Surveillance footage supported her account, and Miami Police arrested Portugués, who is now under house arrest awaiting further legal proceedings.