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Man accused of beating women with bat was coming from B-day party

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 has learned a man accused of striking two women with a baseball bat in downtown Orlando was actually on his way home from a birthday party at the time of the attack.

Orlando police said tips from the public helped them arrest Juan Carrillo, 48, on Wednesday.

Rebecca Naudasher said she and her friend, Catherine Nguyen, were going into an apartment near the intersection of Rosalind Avenue and South Street just before midnight Saturday when a man ran up, wielding a metal bat.

A security guard at the complex heard screams and found both women bleeding profusely.

After Carrillo allegedly attacked the women and stole one of their purses, he used a credit card at 7-Eleven for gas and cigarettes, authorities said.

Investigators said the night of the attack, there was a private 30th birthday party at Doc's Banquet on South Orange Avenue for Carrillo's cousin.  Those attending the party were asked to dress in blue and black, which apparently made it easier for police to identify Carrillo.

During the investigation, Carrillo’s cousin told investigators that Carrillo left before midnight and was wearing a blue button-down shirt and a black tie, matching the description of the suspect in the video.

Police said Carrillo also has a white Honda accord, which was reported at the scene.

WFTV was there when Carrillo was taken to the Orange County Jail. He denied being the man responsible for the brutal attack that was caught on camera.

Naudasher suffered a gash to her head that had to be stapled shut. She also had cuts and abrasions on her leg.

Nguyen suffered massive bruises and required stitches around her eye as a result of the blow.

Naudasher and Nguyen said the arrest means they can finally move on.

“To think that we could have died over that, there are just some sick people out there,” said Naudasher.

“I don't think I'm able to deal with it yet,” said Nguyen. “I haven't even thought about it. I just went to work to ignore it. We would have given them whatever they wanted but then to physically hurt us? He deserves what he gets.”

Police said the baseball bat and additional evidence have been recovered in the case.

Police said Carrillo was charged with robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted felony murder with a weapon and false imprisonment with a weapon.