Off-duty NYPD officer, husband accused of attacking relatives in Queens home

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — An off-duty NYPD officer and her husband were was arrested over the weekend after they allegedly broke into her sister-in-law’s Queens home then choked her and her boyfriend.

The couple was charged with burglary, assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and harassment, authorities said.

According to police, after 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, officer Maria Villalta, 39, and her husband, Robert Villalta, 39, broke down a door and forced their way into the home on 149th Avenue near 82nd Street in Lindenwood .

Once inside, Robert allegedly pushed his sister onto a bed, placed his hands around her neck and began to strangle her, according to a criminal complaint.

He then punched his sister in the face until her nose bled before his wife allegedly also began t0 beat and choke her.

A criminal complaint said Officer Villalta’s husband then began to punch his sister’s boyfriend in the face and choking him.

Robert and Maria were released without bail following an arraignment on Monday.

Officer Villalta, who is assigned to the 61st Precinct in southern Brooklyn was suspended without pay following the incident.