April Martins {BSO}
A woman who developed romantic feelings for an animal hospital worker treating her sick cat is now facing aggravated stalking charges for harassing the woman outside the Parkland Animal Clinic.
On August 1, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office dispatched multiple deputies to the scene of a reported aggravated stalking incident in progress at 8017 N University Drive.
According to the caller, a woman, later identified as April Martins, 28, of Fort Lauderdale, who had a history of stalking her, had been sitting in a vehicle for over five hours outside her workplace, the Parkland Animal Clinic.
Records show the caller also reported to law enforcement that Martins was possibly in possession of a firearm, as she had been during multiple encounters in the past.
Upon deputies’ arrival, Martins was seen sitting in her vehicle. Guns drawn, deputies immediately demanded she exit the car at gunpoint. She was detained and placed into a patrol vehicle without incident.
Records show deputies interviewed the victim, who told them Martins was seen outside the back of her workplace earlier in the day, then moved her vehicle to the front of the business and blocked into her car.
According to the victim, Martins had been outside her workplace for approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes.
The victim told deputies she met Martins about two years ago at her previous place of employment, a veterinary office in Oakland Park, where Martins was treating a sick cat. After the cat no longer needed treatment, Martins continued to visit the victim’s workplace parking lot, often sitting in her vehicle just as she had that day.
Records show the victim told deputies that on multiple occasions, Martins would display what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol, placing it on the dashboard of her vehicle.
After leaving her job in Oakland Park, the victim said she began working at Parkland Animal Clinic. Soon after starting, Martins arrived outside the new workplace despite not being given the address.
During their first encounter at the victim’s new workplace, she claims Martins opened her car door with a gun in hand and demanded she get into the rear of the vehicle. Martins then joined her in the backseat, questioning why they couldn’t be in a relationship.
The victim said that over the last month and a half, Martins has repeatedly shown up at the Parkland Animal Clinic, causing her to avoid going outside during her workday.
In addition to being stalked and threatened at work, the victim says Martins also appeared uninvited at her residence despite never being given the address.
After conducting interviews and speaking to witnesses, Martins was arrested and transported to the Broward County Main Jail.
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