A man in Colorado is accused of trying to run over two women, then ramming the vehicle they fled into and attempting to drag one of them out—later telling police he “wanted to kill them” because he believed they were lesbians.
In a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors said Vitalie Oprea, 47, took his parents’ vehicle without permission on February 19, 2023, and was driving near East Arapahoe Road and South Liverpool Street when he spotted two women standing on a corner “whom he believed were lesbians.”
According to the release, Oprea allegedly began yelling at the women and making obscene gestures. Prosecutors said he then made a U-turn and drove against traffic in what they described as an apparent attempt to get closer to them.
The women ran into a grassy area away from the road, but prosecutors said Oprea drove over a curb, onto the sidewalk, and into the grass in an effort to reach them. The women then fled into a truck—where authorities say Oprea rammed the vehicle with his car. Prosecutors said he also tried, unsuccessfully, to pull one of the women out of the truck.
Oprea allegedly fled the scene but was arrested about 20 miles away in Arvada, according to the release.
Authorities said the victims did not know Oprea and believed he was trying to kill them. Prosecutors said witnesses supported that account. When questioned by police, Oprea allegedly confirmed their fears.
“I drove at the women because I saw them kissing and they were lesbians and I wanted to kill them,” he said, according to the release.
