A seemingly ordinary night out among neighbors in Miami spiraled into a bizarre police case involving recklessness, violence, and betrayal. A 27-year-old woman, Andrea Marie Assaf, found herself in handcuffs facing serious charges after allegedly breaking into an off-duty officer's apartment, taking his official vehicle without permission, and assaulting him with a cellphone.
The incident, reported by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO), unfolded in the early hours of Monday, March 31. According to the authorities, Assaf's actions seemed premeditated, exploiting her role as a leasing agent to access the residential complex where they both lived.
From Casual Outing to Criminal Investigation
Court documents and the arrest affidavit reveal that the events kicked off on the night of Sunday, March 30. Assaf and the victim, a City of Miami police officer residing in the same building, went out for drinks together. Up until that point, there had been no reports of any conflict between them.
Once they returned to The Palmer Apartments in the Dadeland area, the officer dropped off Assaf and proceeded to his apartment. What began as a peaceful night took an unexpected turn when Assaf allegedly used an electronic key fob, obtained through her job, to unlawfully enter the officer's apartment.
Unauthorized Vehicle Use and Brazen Behavior
Inside the officer's home, and capitalizing on his brief absence, Assaf seized the keys to his unmarked patrol car. She then drove the vehicle along Southwest 72nd Avenue, a bustling residential street in Miami. Instead of concealing her actions, Assaf snapped a photo of herself behind the wheel and sent it directly to the officer, who promptly urged her to stop driving the vehicle.
Assaf eventually returned the car to the apartment complex, but matters escalated further from there.
Physical Confrontation Inside the Complex
Upon discovering the situation, the officer went to retrieve his car keys from his apartment. A heated and violent exchange ensued. According to the official report, Assaf defiantly threw the keys to the ground and then hurled her cellphone at the officer, striking him on the back of the head.
The impact caused a minor laceration, which was documented in both the medical and police reports. The officer stated unequivocally that Assaf had no permission to enter his home or use his vehicle, underscoring the criminal nature of her actions.
Arrest, Charges, and Legal Proceedings
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed that Andrea Marie Assaf was arrested shortly after the incident at her residence within the same apartment complex. She was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
Assaf is facing multiple felony charges, including burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft of a vehicle, and assaulting a law enforcement officer. While authorities have not disclosed whether Assaf has any prior criminal record, they have confirmed that she is awaiting a bail hearing set to take place in the coming days. The motive behind her confrontational stance towards her neighbor remains unclear.
Understanding Legal Implications and Outcomes
What charges is Andrea Marie Assaf facing?
Andrea Marie Assaf faces charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft of a vehicle, and assaulting a law enforcement officer.
How did Assaf gain access to the officer's apartment?
Assaf used an electronic key fob she obtained through her job as a leasing agent to gain unauthorized entry into the officer's apartment.
What was the officer's response to the situation?
The officer immediately contacted Assaf, urging her to stop driving his vehicle, and later went to his apartment to retrieve his keys, where the confrontation occurred.