An NYPD officer has been suspended and is facing charges after police say she started a fight that resulted in an 18-year-old boy getting punched in the face.
Police say she was off duty when the incident occurred at the Stamford Town Center Sunday night. A witness tells News 12 that it happened around 6 p.m. at the Godiva chocolate store.
Police and witnesses say 30-year-old off-duty NYPD Officer Amanda Villafane went to the store with her mother and her partner, 32-year-old Christopher Salvadore.
Employees told Villafane that the store was closed, but she allegedly refused to leave. Authorities say that's when she started arguing and then took off her jacket, seemingly ready to fight.
Ralph Jimenez, 18, says he had gone to the store to pick up his sister, who is an employee there, when the incident occurred.
News 12 is told Jimenez was punched in the face by Salvadore when Villafane, her mother and Salvadore realized he was recording the incident on video.
When police arrived, Villafane flashed her police identification and tried to fight an officer before being brought to the floor.
News 12 reached out to the NYPD, but did not immediately receive a response. Stamford police also declined to comment on camera.
Villafane and Salvadore were released on a promise to appear in court.