Man arrested after attempted rape of ‘bikini barista’

Madeline Guinto was working at 'Hottie Shots Espresso' in Washington state when a man armed with what appears to be a knife jumped in through the window. She hopes that by speaking out she will help others to also 'realise how strong they are'

A woman working as a "bikini barista" in the US has spoken out about her alleged attempted rape, after police released CCTV showing her being attacked by an apparently knife-wielding man.

Madeline Guinto was working at Hottie Shots Espresso in Kent, Washington, when a man jumped into the staff area of the coffee stand through a window, before dragging her off.

Waiving her right to anonymity in a TV interview with CBS-affiliate KVAL, she said she hopes that sharing her story will encourage other women who have been assaulted to speak out and to “realise how strong they really are”.

Hottie Shots Espresso is one of many "bikini barista" stands across the US, and markets itself on Instagram based on its "fabulous, sexy" staff. Ms Guinto was opening up the stand for the day when the attack happened.

Surveillance footage released by police as part of a public appeal shows the suspect, dressed in black gloves, climb in through the drive-thru window. Ms Guinto has her back turned to him, and he approaches her, seemingly threatening her with a knife and pushing her to the floor.

He can be seen speaking and after a few moments, he pulls her up and forces her to leave the building through the window.

Speaking about the ordeal, Ms Guinto told KVAL: “I wanted people to know that I put up a fight.”

She said she originally thought it was another robbery, as she had been previously targeted by a thief while working at the stand in October. But she said she realised this was different as the attacker forced her down an alley and tried to rape her.

“He told me that if I didn’t get out of the stand he was going to kill me, and when he said that he pressed [the knife] closer to my throat,” she told the news channel.

“As he is choking me I am shrugging my shoulders up to keep the air coming into my lungs and I am searching for a knife.”

She is now recovering from minor injuries and trying not let her ordeal affect her.

“I am trying so hard not to live in fear, I don’t want this to destroy me,” Ms Guinto said.

Police said Michael Reynolds, a 33-year-old man with an "extensive criminal history" has now been arrested in connection with the attack, and remains in custody.

“That is relieving just to hear that he won’t ever get anyone again, I am kind of just glad it’s over,” Ms Guinto told KVAL. “It is sad that women don’t realise how strong they really are. Maybe me sitting here will influence more people to be strong and speak up and speak out.”