A Florida man is behind bars after his girlfriend, who was allegedly abused by him, slipped a note to a store clerk asking for help, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay.
Mark Frumosu, 37, was arrested Tuesday and charged with eight counts ranging from felon in possession of a firearm to aggravated assault in connection with the case. He’s being held in jail on a bond of more than $108,000.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Frumosu also subjected the woman to a “terrifying ordeal” earlier in the day, which included being held at gunpoint.
A five-page arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 13 Tampa Bay detailed the moment the store clerk, who was a complete stranger, jumped into action to assist the woman in need. According to reports, the woman has been in a long-term relationship with Frumosu.
According to the affidavit, the incident began when deputies stopped a vehicle in Clearwater, Fla., to check on the driver. The note given to the store clerk stated that the driver required assistance and that the police should be contacted.
Police received information that Frumosu was inside the vehicle and had outstanding warrants, according to the document.
The affidavit also said the woman was “terrified and in fear” for hours leading up to the arrest. Frumosu reportedly pulled her hair, slammed her head into the door and “took the victim’s cellular phone, and threw it in the toilet preventing the victim from communicating a crime to law enforcement.”
Though details surrounding the store and the helpful store clerk have not been released, domestic violence victim advocates are applauding the woman for her courage and the clerk for being a quick thinker.
“A lot of survivors stay because they’re afraid,” The Spring of Tampa Bay President Mindy Murphy said, according to Fox 13. “A lot of survivors then eventually leave because they’re afraid. And the fear of what might happen if they try to leave ends up being outweighed by the fear of what’s going to happen. Right. What they begin to think is going to happen if they stay.”
The Spring of Tampa Bay is a resource center for domestic violence victims and offers help to victims no matter the situation.
