CONTINUING COVERAGE

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Rutgers New Brunswick given 4 p.m. deadline to remove tents from Voorhees Mall.

Off-duty NYPD officer faces charges after chocolate shop fight

<p>An NYPD&nbsp;officer is facing charges after police say she started a fight that resulted in an 18-year-old boy getting punched in the face.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 23, 2017, 11:36 PM

Updated 2,382 days ago

Share:

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.


More from News 12
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Rutgers given 4 p.m. deadline to remove tents

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Rutgers given 4 p.m. deadline to remove tents

2:09
Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the 80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the 80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

0:46
Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

1:47
News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

0:20
Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

0:19
FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

0:24
Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

2:06
Nutley school uses virtual reality to help children with neurodiversity succeed in the real world

Nutley school uses virtual reality to help children with neurodiversity succeed in the real world

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues