The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tavernier man on Friday for battery and robbery after he attacked his girlfriend and stole her backpack.
Mario Ashley Muniz, 30, was charged with DUI, battery, grand theft, unarmed robbery, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Around 10:04 p.m., deputies responded to Key Largo in reference to a robbery, where they met with the victim. She stated she had been out drinking with Muniz, whom she had been dating for about a week. After driving his car home, she asked Muniz not to drive because he was intoxicated, which apparently infuriated him. Muniz reportedly hit the victim several times, even as she was trying to prevent him from driving away in his vehicle. He ultimately took her backpack and left the area.
The victim suffered minor injuries, which were documented by deputies and medical personnel. Meanwhile, deputies located Muniz’s vehicle and the victim’s belongings. In addition, a search of his vehicle revealed approximately 4.3 grams of marijuana, a glass pipe and rolling papers.
Muniz told deputies that the victim tried to steal his car and attempted to hit him. He then refused to give a breath sample. It was also determined he didn’t have a valid driver’s license.
Muniz was arrested and transported to the Plantation Key jail, where he was being held on a bond of $60,000.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
If you have information that could help solve a crime in the Florida Keys, call Crime Stoppers, 800-346-TIPS.