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Dolphins' Jonathon Amaya Arrested

The Miami Dolphins beat the Seattle Seahawks yesterday 24-21. Later in the night, reserve safety Jonathan Amaya was arrested outside a club in Miami Beach following an incident with a taxi driver.

Miami Dolphins safety Jonathon Amaya, seen here in his previous stint with the team, was arrested early Monday morning on battery charges.
Miami Dolphins safety Jonathon Amaya, seen here in his previous stint with the team, was arrested early Monday morning on battery charges.
Mark J. Rebilas - US PRESSWIRE

The Miami Dolphins celebrated a much needed win yesterday, coming up big in the fourth quarter to put away the Seattle Seahawks 24-21. The celebration may have been too much from Dolphins backup safety Jonathon Amaya, however.

Amaya, who joined the Dolphins this season after being released by the New Orleans Saints, was arrested outside Club Bamboo in Miami Beach at 4:30 am , according to various media reports. Amaya was attempting to leave the club, and allegedly attempted to choke a taxi driver.

According to the police report on the incident, Amaya asked a taxi driver to take him from the club to Weston. When told the driver did not go out that far, Amaya produced a $100 bill and the driver agreed to take him to the address. Jonathan Vunge, the 44-year old cab driver, reported that, in route, Amaya became belligerent and "aggressive," so he turned the cab around and returned to the club. He gave Amaya his money back, and asked him to get out of the taxi.

Amaya that, allegedly, leaned forward and "wrapped his hands around" Vunge's neck and "started choking him," according to the police report.

Outside the club, two off duty police officer witnessed Vunge driving erratically and screaming, "This man is trying to kill me!" Amaya was arrested for battery and held on $1,500 bond.

The Dolphins released a statement earlier today about the incident. "We are aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering information," Senior Vice President of Media Relations Harvey Green wrote via the team's website.

Amaya has six tackle this year for the Dolphins. This is his second stint in Miami, and was a part of the trade that brought Reggie Bush from New Orleans to the Dolphins, with Amaya spending 2011 with the Saints.

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