MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A man was arrested early Monday morning after police say he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and then attempted to strangle her at his apartment in northwest Miami-Dade.
According to an arrest report, Miami-Dade police officers responded to a domestic battery incident involving 20-year-old Jason Zayas, who was apprehended after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend at his home near the 16000 block of Northwest 72nd Avenue.
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At approximately 1:28 a.m., Miami-Dade police contacted a detective from their Special Victim’s Unit, who determined the incident did not meet their criteria for response, the report stated.
The victim was treated at Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines for injuries, including strangulation marks and bite wounds. Zayas was later arrested at his apartment after the incident was reported, investigators said.
The victim recounted the events leading to her injuries, stating that after leaving the beach with Zayas, who was heavily intoxicated, he became aggressive by pinching and twisting her arm, according to the arrest report.
The situation escalated as Zayas attempted to change the shifter while the victim was driving, forcing her to pull over, police said. Zayas then snatched her phone, preventing her from calling for help, authorities said.
As the victim drove to Zayas’s home, he splashed water on her face, prompting another stop, according to the report. At this point, Zayas allegedly pinned her head down, and then punched and bit her multiple times. Despite the attacks, the victim managed to continue driving and stopped at a gas station, where she honked for help but received none, according to investigators.
Upon reaching Zayas’s house, the violence continued, according to police. The victim claimed Zayas pinned her to the floor and choked her to the point of near-unconsciousness. He also threatened to kill her and her family if police got involved, authorities said.
The victim said she was able to escape with the help of a neighbor and drove to safety, the report states.
Authorities said Zayas was transported around 3:40 a.m. to the MDPD’s Northwest District station, where he was formally interviewed, however, his statement was not included in the publicly released report.
According to jail records, Zayas is facing one count each of domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment and battery causing bodily harm.
As of Monday, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond had not yet been determined.
Authorities did not release a motive as to what led to the alleged attack.
There is help in South Florida for women or men who are the victims of domestic violence.
Click here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.