Detectives suspect man of luring women into truck, attacking them

TAMPA — An undercover detective posing as a 16-year-old helped the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrest a Seffner man suspected of luring two women into his white pickup truck and attacking them.

Audrerto Morales, 37, was charged with charged with battery, procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution, interference with custody, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to jail records.

The Sheriff's Office began watching Morales last week after getting his tag number from a woman who alleged he picked her up at a bus stop and beat her, said Deputy Larry McKinnon, a sheriff's spokesman. A 14-year-old girl reported a similar attack to the Tampa Police Department.

Detectives say Morales drove up to the detective Monday at Fowler Avenue and 56th Street and offered her $30 for sex, after she refused a ride and said she was 16. He was released Monday on $10,500 bail.

Authorities suspect there may be more victims. Anyone with information can call sheriff's Det. Gary Harris at (813) 290-2365.