Rockland County cop charged in Stamford domestic assault

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STAMFORD — A police officer from Rockland County, N.Y. was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he strangled and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend in Stamford over the weekend.

Police say the woman showed up at police headquarters a little before midnight Sunday claiming that her ex-boyfriend had just strangled her, smashed her phone to stop her from calling police and promised he would be back later to finish things up with her.

The woman, who had large red marks around her throat, said William Oliver, 45, had access to guns and was a 10-year veteran of the Clarkstown Police Department.

According to Oliver’s three-page arrest affidavit, the ex-girlfriend said she was home alone when Oliver used an emergency key to enter her Hope Street apartment uninvited. She said Oliver admitted to waiting outside for 30 minutes until her friends left before letting himself in.

The divorced father of three children began asking her questions before wrapping his hands around her neck and strangling her, the affidavit said. He then threw her on a bed, put her in a headlock and choked her, according to the affidavit.

The woman ran downstairs after Oliver let her go, but he turned on her again, this time choking her with a finger down her mouth. He then left the apartment, let himself in again and broke the woman’s cell phone. Before leaving a second time Oliver told the woman he “should kill her right now for lying to him,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Police obtained a warrant for Oliver’s arrest, and he turned himself over to police at 2 p.m. Monday. He was charged with two counts each of second-degree burglary, strangulation and threatening, and single counts of unlawful restraint, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and interfering with an emergency call. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond.

At his court hearing Tuesday, Judge Auden Grogins issued a protective order prohibiting Oliver from contacting the woman or coming within 100 yards of her. Grogins also banned Oliver from the state of Connecticut except for court appearances or other probation related issues.

Clarkstown police Chief Michael Sullivan said Oliver had been relieved of duty and his service weapon and badge taken from him. Oliver’s attorney, John Quartucio, declined comment.

jnickerson@scni.com;