HIALEAH, FL – A woman is recovering after a brutal assault outside her apartment building, where she was attacked with a baseball bat by her former boyfriend, who also tried to force her into a vehicle and stole her phone, police said.
Authorities responded to the scene in the 5100 block of West 12th Avenue Thursday afternoon after receiving calls about an assault in progress. The victim, whose name has not been released, told officers she was walking home around 2:45 p.m. when a vehicle stopped in front of her and her ex-boyfriend, identified as 35-year-old Alberto Turino Hernandez, emerged, wielding what appeared to be a black baseball bat.
Investigators say the assault began just two days after the woman ended a six-month relationship marked by increasingly aggressive and possessive behavior from Hernandez. The two had lived together for part of that time, but police say concerns for her safety prompted the split earlier in the week.
When confronted Thursday, the woman tried to escape as Hernandez allegedly lashed out with the bat, striking her repeatedly. Witnesses said she yelled for help as Hernandez hit her across the back and legs, resulting in visible injuries, including a deep cut. According to police, Hernandez then made threatening remarks and demanded his former partner’s phone.
Despite her resistance, Hernandez forcefully attempted to push her into his vehicle. The woman managed to keep herself from being shoved inside by bracing her legs against the car’s frame. The struggle continued until she fell to the ground, at which point Hernandez allegedly struck her again and snatched her phone.
After grabbing her purse as well, Hernandez fled the area in his vehicle, officials said. Emergency responders transported the woman to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Within hours of the assault, law enforcement located Hernandez in a box truck and took him into custody. Police say he later admitted during questioning to attacking his ex-girlfriend.
Hernandez now faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, attempted kidnapping, armed robbery, and tampering with a witness or victim. He is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
The victim is expected to recover physically, although authorities say she remains shaken by the ordeal. Officials emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence and urged anyone in similar situations to reach out to local resources for support and safety planning.
As the investigation continues, police are gathering surveillance footage and statements to further document the sequence of events. No other injuries or arrests were reported.