A man accused of attacking and trying to sexually assault a worker inside a vape shop in Miami Springs earlier this month turned himself in, authorities said.
Miami Springs Police say Tyrone Armbrister, 30, is the man seen on surveillance video attacking a vape shop employee on November 9th.
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Armbrister turned himself in to police on Sunday afternoon.
Police said Armbrister purchased two cigarettes from the Red Eye Smoke Shop in Miami Springs. He returned about 20 minutes later, with his shirt draped around his shoulder, and became aggressive with the employee, and dragged her into the back storage room.
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According to an arrest report, Armbrister offered her $100 for sex.
The worker, in fear for her life, denied his request and tried to deescalate the situation, the report said.
She said he suddenly moved towards her and then dragged her to the back of the store, where he put his shirt over her face and sexually assaulted her.
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"He was trying, once again, like I said, touching my (expletive), trying to pull my pants off, and I was just asking him not to do it, please not to do anything to me, and fighting back," the woman told NBC6.
Surveillance cameras inside the store captured the frightening encounter.
"Please get away!" she's heard screaming.
The attack lasted a few minutes but the woman was able to fight back, punching the man and grabbing a toilet plunger and beating him with it.
On Sunday afternoon, shortly before 3 p.m., Armbrister turned himself in to Miami Gardens Police and told officers he committed a sexual battery and was transported to the Miami Springs Police Department.
“My sincere apology. I hope that she’s okay,” said Armbrister as he walked out of the Miami Springs Police Department in handcuffs.
Armbrister told NBC6 he did not realize what happened until a few days later because he was under the influence.
“I made a mistake by probably drinking too much and that’s the part where I slipped up. I allowed something to be put in my drink, not paying attention,” said the suspect.
An arrest report for Tyrone Armbrister said he visibly altered his appearance by cutting his hair and shaving his beard.
In a confession to police, he admitted he changed his appearance because he saw it in the movies and was thinking of fleeing town.
Police say during questioning Sunday, Armbrister was wearing the same boxer briefs he was wearing the day of the attack.
“Someone contacted me and told me 'okay, you on TV,'" said Armbrister.
The suspect said he has never done anything like this before and he was shocked when his friend showed him the video from the November 9th assault.
He is facing charges including sexual battery with no serious personal injury, false imprisonment, and burglary with assault or battery.
“I came back because someone has to take responsibility,” Armbrister said.
The victim told NBC6 she felt a sense of relief after the suspect turned himself in.
"I do feel safer in a sense, I am prepared, hopefully not, but if I ever have to go through something like this, I have learned my lesson that I have to be more careful, and have something with me to protect myself," she said.
