Man arrested after video shows him choking child at Sunny Isles Beach park – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

SUNNY ISLANDS BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – A man was arrested after police say he choked a child in a park.

Sunny Isles Beach police arrested Robert Marcu, 60, on Monday after video captured him with his hands around a child's neck and shaking him repeatedly.

The video, obtained by 7News, shows the physical altercation between Marcu and an unidentified child.

“As a parent, it really makes you angry,” said Sunny Isles Beach Police Department Sgt. Melissa Porro.

Police reported that children had been arguing at Gwen Margolis Park and that's when Marcu intervened and the situation escalated.

“The kids got into an argument and this father, out of nowhere, decided to step in and commit this heinous crime,” Porro said.

The video shows Marcu intervening using violence.

“A father decided to take matters into his own hands and grabbed this other child by the neck and shook him violently,” Porro said.

Police arrested Marcu at his home shortly after the incident.

On Tuesday, Marcu was in court, ready to give his side of the story.

“Well, your judge, the incident was minor,” Marcu said.

“Don’t talk about the facts. You are presumed not guilty. You have the right to have an attorney accompany you to court,” Judge Mindy S. Glazer said.

Police said there was no excuse for the behavior.

“No one should ever put their hands on anyone, and as police officers, we absolutely do not condone or encourage violence,” Porro said.

Marcu remains behind bars. If he posts bail, he is ordered not to come within 15 feet of the child.

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