An off-duty New York Police Department officer was arrested Sunday after she and her husband allegedly broke down the door of her sister-in-law’s home in Queens and strangled the relative, according to prosecutors and police.
Maria Villalta and Robert Villalta, both 39, also allegedly punched the victim in the face during the pre-dawn break-in that began about 2:15 a.m., according to the criminal complaint.
After entering the home, Robert Villalta allegedly pushed his sister onto the bed and strangled her.
He then allegedly punched her in the face, according to prosecutors.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim told authorities that Maria Villalta also hit him during the attack and put her hands around his neck.
Robert Villalta is also accused of punching and choking a man who was in the apartment with his sister, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Both victims said they had difficulty breathing as a result of the assaults, and the officer’s sister-in-law also suffered bruises on her face, neck and arms, as well as a nosebleed, according to the lawsuit.
The NYPD said Maria Villalta was arrested Sunday night around 4:15 a.m. in Queens and has been suspended without pay.
She and her husband are charged with second-degree theft, third-degree assault, obstruction of breathing and second-degree harassment, according to prosecutors.
