Miami Dolphins DB Jonathon Amaya Arrested for Battery

Dolphins player tried to choke taxi driver: Miami Beach Police

Miami Dolphins defensive back Jonathon Amaya was arrested for battery early Monday after he tried to choke a taxi driver, Miami Beach Police said.

Amaya, 24, was arrested after the incident which happened around 4:30 a.m. outside Club Bamboo at 500 Washington Avenue, according to a Miami Beach Police report.

According to the report, Amaya had flagged the taxi down and asked the driver, 44-year-old Jonathon Vunge, to be taken to Weston. Vunge said he didn't go that far but agreed to take him there after Amaya gave him $100 cash up front, the report said.

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As they drove, Amaya became "aggressive" and Vunge drove back to the spot where he'd picked Amaya up, gave the cash back to him and told him to get out of the cab, the report said.

Vunge told police Amaya "leaned forward and wrapped his hands around his neck and started choking him," the report said.

Two off-duty Biscayne Park Police officers who were working at the club said they saw Vunge's cab drive towards them erratically and Vunge scream "This man is trying to kill me," the report said.

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Amaya was taken into custody. Vunge wasn't injured, according to the report.

Jail records showed Amaya was being held on $1,500 bond Monday. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.

Amaya is in his third season in the NFL and second in Miami. He had been signed by the Dolphins in 2010 as an undrafted free agent from Nevada and spent a season in New Orleans after he was traded to the Saints in the Reggie Bush trade.

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