New York City cop faces suspension over chocolate row in Stamford

STAMFORD — A New York City probationary police officer is facing suspension following her involvement in a ruckus at a Stamford chocolate shop that led to her arrest Sunday evening.

Stamford Police Sgt. Robert Shawinsky said cops were called to the Godiva shop at the Stamford Town Center around 6:30 p.m. on the report of an assault. When police arrived, “They found chocolate and blood all over the floor,” Shawinsky said, reading from a police report.

A woman at the center of the incident, Amanda Villafane, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was shown on video removing her jacket and following one of the employees around the store and she was heard threatening violence against the worker.

Police were told by employees of the store that an older woman believed to be the mother of Villafane or her companion, Christopher Salvadore, 30, of Staten Island, had entered the shop after it had closed.

Ralph Jimenez, 18, whose sister works at the store and who recorded the incident, speculated to the Stamford Advocate that Villafane perceived the employees had disrespected the older woman by saying she should have known the store was closed based on the amount of force required to pull the door open.

Salvadore allegedly punched Jimenez, giving him a bloody nose, over his videotaping of the incident, according to Jimenez and the police report.

Citing the police report, Shawinsky said Villafane became angry and officers at the scene had to take her to the ground and put handcuffs on her.

She was charged with resisting arrest, threatening, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Salvadore was charged with assault, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. Both were released after signing promises to appear in court.

Replying to an email for comment, a New York City police spokesperson said Villafane will be suspended for the incident.

jnickerson@

stamfordadvocate.com