An off-duty NYPD cop and her husband broke into her sister-in-law’s home — choking her and her boyfriend — officials said Monday.
Officer Maria Villalta, 39, and her husband, Robert Villalta, 39, are accused of breaking down a door and forcing their way into the home on 149th Ave. near 82nd St. in Lindenwood, Queens, between 2:15 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, prosecutors said.
Once inside, Robert Villalta pushed his sister onto a bed, placed his hands around her neck and started to strangle her, according to a criminal complaint.
The man punched his sister in the face until her nose bled before his cop wife allegedly joined in, beating and choking the victim.
The officer’s husband then attacked his sister’s boyfriend, punching him in the face and choking him, according to prosecutors.
Both victims had difficulty breathing after the attack. The officer’s sister-in-law was also left with visible injuries, including neck and facial bruises.
The couple was arrested and later charged with burglary, assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and harassment, prosecutors said.
They were released without bail following a Monday arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, records show.
Maria Villalta was appointed as a police officer in 2019, NYPD records show. She is currently assigned to the 61st Precinct in southern Brooklyn.
She was suspended without pay following the incident, according to an NYPD spokesman.
