Estrella told local media: “He looked to see if I had company in the store. Seconds after my mom left, this guy entered. He asked about ice cream, and then, he stood behind me.”
Despite feeling an initial touch, she dismissed it, thinking she was being pursued for her phone. The situation escalated when the man persisted and made another attempt, getting even closer to the young woman.
Reacting promptly, María Estrella turned around, delivering a swift slap and kick to her assailant before locking him inside the store.
After locking the perpetrator in her store, Maria went to go ask for help.
After he’s locked inside — he fixes his clothes and looks around helplessly.
A different CCTV video released shows what happened next. A group of neighbors rushed to the scene, unleashing a beating on the trapped man.
María later told the Chilean press: “I went to ask for help. They took him outside and he apologized to me. I started to hit him, he scratched me and took off running.”
She is now asking the authorities for help identifying him, but the regional prosecutor’s office has no record of the incident.
María Estrella’s decision to share her experience on social media has sparked conversations about the need for increased security measures and vigilance, encouraging others to speak out against harassment.
