MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. – A man who police said was caught on surveillance video dragging a woman into a back room and attempted to sexually assault her inside a Miami Springs smoke shop has turned himself in, saying he wants to “make it right.”
Tyrone Armbrister, 30, surrendered to Miami Springs police on Sunday, days after the video of the incident circulated widely and sparked outrage in the community. Jail records show he now faces three felony charges: sexual battery, false imprisonment, and burglary.
Walking out of the Miami Springs Police Department in handcuffs and into a patrol car to be booked into jail, Armbrister spoke briefly with reporters.
“I came to make it right. I made a mistake,” he said, attributing his actions to being under the influence of alcohol.
The incident occurred on Nov. 9 inside a smoke shop in Miami Springs.
According to police, a store clerk heard screams coming from the back of the shop.
The surveillance footage shows Armbrister grabbing a woman and forcibly dragging her into a back room. Once there, he groped her as she repeatedly begged him to stop, investigators said.
Armbrister told Local 10 News that he was intoxicated at the time of the assault and suggested his drink may have been spiked.
“My sincere apology. I hope that she’s OK,” Armbrister said. “I came back because someone has to take responsibility.”
He added, “I made a mistake by drinking too much, and that’s where I slipped up. I allowed something to be put in my drink, not paying attention.”
When asked by Local 10′s Cody Weddle if he had ever committed a similar act, Armbrister said, “No. that’s why it shocked me when I saw the video.”
The surveillance video of the alleged assault, shocked the community and prompted swift action from law enforcement. Miami Springs Detective Jacob Dweck said the footage was particularly difficult to watch and hear.
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“It’s a very hard video to not only watch, but to hear too,” Dweck said.
The detective praised the victim’s bravery in fighting back and emphasized the department’s commitment to holding criminals accountable.
“All criminals out there, we do want to let you know, you come into Miami Springs, you commit a crime, we will catch you, we will charge you, and you will be arrested,” Dweck said.
Armbrister said he decided to turn himself in after learning that the surveillance footage had been broadcast widely.
“Someone had to come to me and tell me that you’re on TV,” he said, acknowledging the role the video played in his surrender.
Armbrister appeared in bond court Monday, where a judge ordered him to be held without bond and to stay away from the victim and the smoke shop.
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