CUTLER BAY, Fla. — Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrested a 38-year-old man Wednesday after they said he threatened his ex-girlfriend with a gun, forced her into her vehicle and attempted to drive away.
It happened at around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday near the 19000 block of South Dixie Highway in Cutler Bay.
The victim, who had walked from her school to her parked car, was seated in the driver’s seat when deputies said Antonio Alonzo Branch opened the unlocked door, and while wearing black rubber gloves, pulled out a black gun and said, “I’m here to kill you, move over.”
Authorities said the victim fought to keep Branch out of the vehicle.
They said he bit her on the right thigh and forced her into the front passenger seat, then climbed into the driver’s seat.
The victim intentionally shifted the gear into park to stop the vehicle and attempted to escape, but Branch repeatedly locked the doors and pointed the gun at her, according to the report.
At one point, he racked the slide and asked, “Do you think this s--- is a game?” while holding her by the shirt collar, the report stated.
Deputies said the victim was able to unlock the passenger door and flee on foot near Caribbean Boulevard.
Witnesses who saw the struggle retrieved a gun from the vehicle and intervened. Branch was later taken into custody by deputies.
Investigators said the victim suffered a bite mark on her right thigh and a scratch to the back of her neck.
They said after being taken into custody, Branch was read his Miranda rights and provided a statement that was redacted in the publicly-released report.
Jail records show he is facing one count each of armed burglary with assault or battery, kidnapping with a firearm or aggravated battery, false imprisonment with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm.
Records show he is a convicted felon from a prior child abuse case.
As of Friday afternoon, Branch was being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. A motive for the attack is unclear at this time.
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