Miami Fire Rescue captain is accused of assault and false imprisonment

A longtime Miami Fire Rescue captain is back behind bars following a domestic-violence dispute during the weekend, police say.

Maximo Vazquez Jr., 43, a 16-year fire captain, was arrested on charges of assault, battery, robbery and false imprisonment on Saturday evening after an alcohol-fueled fit of rage during which he threatened to smash his wife’s car windows and prevented her from leaving their residence by placing screws under her car tires, according to court documents.

After she retrieved the screws, documents state he stole her cellphone and digitally disabled her Tesla. He then head-butted, slapped and hit her with his cellphone while he cursed at her, police say.

His reason? Her outfit, officers say.

The arrest affidavit states Vazquez Jr. became agitated because of the gym outfit that his wife was wearing. He posted a bail of $17,500.

Saturday night wasn’t his first encounter with the law, though.

The veteran fire captain was arrested last year in June 2025 after an expletive-filled confrontation with Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Vazquez Jr. had called 911 multiple times to report his wife missing and when deputies arrived, he refused to cooperate. He was charged with misusing 911, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer.

The charges were dropped.

A spokesperson from the Miami Department of Fire Rescue said the agency investigated last year’s charges and allowed him to remain, but will conduct another investigation soon.