Man Tried to Drown Girlfriend at Siesta Key, Authorities Say

A man was arrested Friday night after several witnesses said they saw him trying to drown a woman at Siesta Key Beach. Three men forcibly pulled him off her in order to save her life, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

44-year-old Hoang Muc Danh, of Sarasota, was charged with domestic battery by strangulation after he allegedly held his girlfriend underwater against her will near the public access located at 3900 North Shell Road.

When deputies arrived, two of the men were holding Dahn at the scene so he could not run away, the report states.

The victim told deputies that Dahn had tricked her into going to the beach, saying he had hidden money in the bushes because he was afraid of going to jail on theft charges.

While walking near the brush, Dahn reported grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into the water even though he knew she couldn’t swim, the report states. He told the victim he would kill her if she screamed, then go back and kill her kids, a report said. Dahn placed both hands on her neck and pushed her head under the surface of the water, the report states.

The victim attempted to flee, but said Dahn kept pushing her head back under the water saying “I’m going to kill you,” however, she was able to scream for help several times while coming up for air.

Mark Alan Brown, a 47-year-old plumber, was sitting on a nearby bench when he heard the screaming. He said he was on a blind date with a woman when, without hesitation, he took off running through the darkness toward the screams, injuring his feet and ankles as he tripped over rocks and shells along the way.

An 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man were fishing when they heard the calls for help. They handed off their rods to a friend so they could aid with the woman’s rescue.

While Brown got the woman into shallow water, the two other men grabbed Dahn. They told deputies it “took the strength of two men” to pull him off of her.

The fishermen held Dahn at the bench until law enforcement could arrive.

Dahn reported lived with the victim has been charged with domestic battery in the past. He told authorities that she became upset after she saw some texts on his phone involving another woman and entered the water voluntarily to commit suicide. He said he knew she couldn't swim, and was only attempting to pull her out when the witnesses got involved.

He was taken to Sarasota County Jail where he is being held on a $150,000 bond.

As for Brown, he said his date was impressed by his heroic effort and everything “worked out pretty well for him.” He was happy to know Dahn was still in jail and the victim was OK.