MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Police have arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with a violent attack that was caught on camera this week at a UPS Store.
“Honestly, I thought he was going to shoot me -- that was the only thing going through my mind,” the victim said. “That was the only thing going through my mind -- not getting shot.”
On Thursday, Local 10 cameras captured customers at the Miami Gardens location being allowed in one at a time and a security guard manning the door.
The angry attack happened Wednesday.
The video shows a man, believed to be Adaya Atum Baki, lunging at an employee, throwing several punches and then reaching into his pocket for a gun.
The victim, who chose to remain anonymous, said the man was waiting to return a package when things took a turn.
“He got irate. He said, ‘I want my money back,’” the victim said. “He started choking me with one hand, and hitting me with the other one. He put me in a position (where) I couldn’t move, then he took out a handgun.”
When the suspect pulled out the gun, other employees ran for their lives, authorities said.
Police said Baki left behind a package with his name and address on it, which helped officers track him down.
Baki was arrested Thursday on charges of armed burglary with assault or battery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
His attorney argued in bond court Friday that there was no probable cause for an armed burglary charge. At issue was whether the area where Baki is seen pushing the store manager counts as “enclosed.”
While the judge agreed as to the probable cause on that charge, she still expressed concern based on what she witnessed on video.
“What I just saw on that video is pretty frightening,” Judge Mindy Glazer said.
Glazer ultimately set Baki’s bond at $20,000, and ordered that he be placed on house arrest if he posts bond.