MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A Miami Gardens man was arrested Sunday after police said he strangled his longtime girlfriend during a violent domestic dispute that began over the use of her car.
According to the Miami Gardens Police Department, officers initially responded to a domestic disturbance call at a residence near the 4200 block of Northwest 198th Terrace around just before 8 p.m. Sunday.
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At the time, the victim, who has been in a relationship with 31-year-old Jeremy De La Cruz for 13 years and has a child with him, told officers that nothing physical had occurred.
However, less than an hour later, police said they were called back to the same residence.
Upon arrival, officers said they found the victim sitting in the passenger seat of her gray Nissan Maxima in distress. She reported that after police left, De La Cruz became enraged that she had contacted authorities earlier.
She said that during the argument, De La Cruz struck her on the left side of her face, which prompted her to run to her car and lock herself inside for safety, according to an arrest report.
In a fit of rage, police said De La Cruz followed her, grabbed a large brick, and shattered the rear driver’s side window of the car. He then forced his way into the car and began attacking her, the report stated.
The victim told police that De La Cruz pulled her from the car by her hair, pinned her to the ground in a puddle of water and began choking her.
The victim told police that she struggled to breathe as De La Cruz held her down and punched her several times in the face while shouting, “I’m going to beat you like a man!”
As officers continued speaking with the victim and documenting her injuries, authorities said De La Cruz was spotted running from the side of the house.
Police said a brief foot chase ensued as police attempted to detain him.
Despite commands to stop and get on the ground, De La Cruz continued to flee and officers deployed a Taser, which they said was ineffective.
Eventually, police said De La Cruz tripped and fell, at which point he was subdued and taken into custody with the help of backup officers.
Police said the victim suffered significant bruising and swelling to the left side of her face, red marks around her neck which was consistent with strangulation, and a defensive wound on her forearm. Photographs of her injuries were also taken as part of the investigation.
She also pointed out the brick that De La Cruz used to break the car window, which officers photographed near the car, according to the report.
In addition to the physical harm inflicted, police said the victim’s vehicle sustained considerable damage. Investigators confirmed the rear window was shattered, and the car’s engine was deliberately damaged during the attack. Police estimated the cost of repairs to exceed $1,000.
Jail records show De La Cruz remains at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $14,000 as of Monday afternoon. He is facing multiple charges, including one count each of burglary with assault or battery, battery by strangulation and shooting or throwing a deadly missile, according to the report.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.