More than 13 years after a woman was the victim of a frightening attempted sexual battery in Dania Beach, authorities said they’ve arrested a suspect in the incident.
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The investigation began on Jan. 21, 2013, a day after the attempted sexual battery happened at an event called Igloo South Florida on Southwest 31st Street in Dania Beach, Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said.
The victim said she was at the event when she became incapacitated and woke up in an unknown vehicle with two unknown men, officials said.
Her pants had been pulled down and one of the men left DNA evidence behind, authorities said.
The case was investigated for years but went cold, until BSO’s Special Victim Unit was assigned in November 2025 and used advanced DNA testing.
Using the DNA sample, investigators identified the suspect as 39-year-old Jose Bello, a man who’s been living in Georgia, officials said.
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The victim was given a photo array and said Bello was familiar to her, authorities said.
Investigators also traveled to Georgia and met with Bello, who was served a DNA warrant.
A DNA sample was submitted to BSO’s Crime Lab, which confirmed the initial testing that showed the DNA found on the victim belonged to Bello, officials said.
Bello was arrested May 5 on a charge of attempted sexual battery to an incapacitated victim, and was expected to be extradited to Broward.
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