Anna Elicia Perez and Mila Zuloaga (Miami-Dade Police Department)
A 34-year-old South Florida police officer found herself behind bars last week after she and a 35-year-old pregnant woman learned they were both unwittingly involved in a love triangle with the same man , whom they attacked in a crowded restaurant. , authorities said.
Miami-Dade Police Officer Anna Elicia Perez and Mila Zuloaga were arrested on Friday and each charged with one count of battery for the alleged attack, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime show.
According to a report by Miami NBC affiliate WTVJ, Officer Perez was in a romantic relationship – which she believed to be monogamous – with a man whose identity has not been released. Zuloaga, who is believed to be seven months pregnant with the man’s child, also believed she had a monogamous relationship with him and lived with him.
While it’s unclear how the women learned of each other’s relationship with the victim, the couple allegedly confronted him about the love triangle at Miller’s Ale House, a sports bar in the 13000 block of South Dixie Highway to Palmetto Bay which is about 15 miles away. south of Miami.
Perez and Zuloaga allegedly accosted the victim, and the trio got into a “verbal argument” that quickly escalated into a “physical confrontation,” according to a copy of the police report obtained by CBS News. During the alleged attack, Officer Perez and Zuloaga “intentionally punched the victim in the face and upper body with their hands multiple times,” police reportedly wrote.
As a result of the altercation, the man reportedly suffered redness and bruising to his face and lower lip.
Perez and Zuloaga were arrested the same day by Perez’s colleagues from the Miami-Dade Police Department. In an interview with investigators, Perez reportedly admitted that she “pushed and punched the victim multiple times,” CBS News reported.
Perez was treated and transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility, while Zuloaga was taken to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Special Victims Office,
It is unclear how long Perez has been an MDPD officer. The department did not immediately respond to messages from Law&Crime requesting additional details about Perez’s time with the agency and the alleged attack.
Miami-Dade Police Superintendent Freddy Ramirez said Monday he was unhappy with Perez’s conduct, saying police and prosecutors are currently reviewing the allegations together.
“I am disappointed with the actions of this officer. We are held to a higher standard of conduct on and off duty,” he said on Monday. “Although this officer was off duty, her behavior was unacceptable and goes against the core values of our service. We will work closely with the State’s Attorney’s Office and ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
Perez has reportedly been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation by the Miami State Attorney’s Office.
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