AVENTURA, Fla. – An attorney from Aventura was arrested Thursday on accusations that he beat his wife, and his wife told police that this wasn’t the first time it’s happened, authorities said.
According to an arrest report, Andrew Zelmanowitz’s wife went to the Aventura police station on West Country Club Drive Thursday and told officers that her husband has “continuously beaten her with it escalating on 9/11/2024.”
Recommended Videos
Police said the victim claimed that Zelmanowitz, 42, became irate around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday after she asked him to read a note to her.
“Zelmanowitz arose from the bed, grabbed (the victim) by the throat and began choking and pushing her,” the arrest report stated. “As a result her head had struck the television. (The victim) attempted to call 911 while Zelmanowitz continued to push her. He forcefully removed (the victim’s) phone from her hand, depriving her from calling the police. (The victim) attempted to flee but Zelmanowitz shoved her into their closet, causing her to hit the shelves, and proceeded to shove her to the floor.”
According to the report, Zelmanowitz then got on top of his wife and told her “I will kill you” before continuing to choke her.
Police said the victim tried to scream for help, but Zelmanowitz covered her mouth with his hands.
According to the report, about 15 seconds later, Zelmanowitz got off of his wife, went to a safe and grabbed his gun.
Police said the victim had previously removed and hidden the bullets due to her husband’s violent past.
According to the report, Zelmanowitz placed the gun on the floor next to his wife’s head. She told police she was unsure whether he had pointed it at her as she was laying facedown and crying.
Police said the victim was eventually able to flee from the bedroom.
According to the report, the victim had bruises on both her forearms and “outside tricep area.”
She was granted a temporary injunction against her husband on Thursday.
Police said the couple have two children in common, but their children did not witness the alleged attack on their mother.
According to the report, Zelmanowitz was arrested Thursday after arriving home from work. Police said he initially tried to leave as a police car approached but he was pulled over and detained.
Zelmanowitz faces charges of strongarm robbery, battery and deprivation of medical care to a crime victim.
As of Friday afternoon, Zelmanowitz remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $6,000 bond.
According to the website of the Berger Singerman law firm, based in Fort Lauderdale, Zelmanowitz is a partner and member of its dispute resolution team.
Help is available 24/7 to domestic violence victims by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or texting BEGIN to 88788.