BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla. (WSVN) – Police have arrested a man after he stabbed a resident at an apartment complex in Bay Harbor Islands, then barged into the victim’s unit and stabbed his dog.
Bay Harbor Islands Police officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance call at the apartment building at 9110 West Bay Harbor Drive, just after 7:20 p.m., Monday.
As officers responded, a second call came in at the police station regarding a man in his early 50s who was breaking windows at a different apartment before turning his attention to other units, banging on doors and smashing windows.
“All the neighbors were out there, like, ‘What’s going on?'” said Topher Yandell, the resident who called 911.
Investigators said an adult male resident confronted the subject and told him to stop. The subject then charged the resident while yelling the word “crazy” and sliced his chest, leaving a small cut.
The victim then ran back to his unit and locked the door. However, the subject was able to gain entry by diving head first through the glass door.
“He went through the door … just through the glass,” said Yandell.
While the subject was inside, he stabbed the victim’s small to mid-sized dog in its hind quarters.
Yandell said the victim was able to hold the subject down until police arrived.
Paramedics transported both the victim and the subject to area hospitals for treatment.
Crews took the dog to Hollywood Animal Hospital, where it was listed in stable condition. The dog has since been released.
Yandell said other residents have had issues with the man, but it never led to anything like this.
“He has a history with the neighbors of completely flying off the handle anytime someone makes the smallest noise,” he said. “I thought it isn’t totally out of character, but it’s surprising that it got violent, especially towards the animal. He normally seems like a very gentle man.”
Once he was treated, police took the subject into custody.
The subject faces charges of armed burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty.
“That’s the silver lining. I guess it’s going to be a more harmonious building, but I hope he gets the help that he needs,” said Yandell.
Police have not disclosed the names of the subject or the victim, as they continue to investigate.
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