Pittsburgh police officer charged with assault on his ex-wife

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Pittsburgh police officer is facing charges after investigators say he attacked and strangled his ex-wife.

A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson confirmed that Willie Arnold of Zone 6 is on leave pending the completion of an internal investigation after he was charged with strangulation, simple assault and terroristic threats.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim came forward on Friday to report the alleged assault on May 15. When asked why she waited to report it, the victim told police she was scared because of Arnold's employment and feared possible retaliation.

The victim told police that Arnold came to her home on Kenberma Avenue on the morning of May 15 to take her child to school. When Arnold entered the victim's bedroom, police say, Arnold found another man there and began to attack him. The victim said Arnold jumped on the man and struck him repeatedly, hitting him with a vacuum cleaner.

The man told the victim to call 911. Arnold then began attacking her, according to police, punching her in the face, choking her and threatening to kill her. Investigators said the victim has a video of her injuries, which shows bruising and scratches on her neck and a swollen and bloody lip.

After attacking the victim, according to police, Arnold walked over to her child, who was crying on the couch, and began to take the child outside. On the way out, according to the victim, Arnold walked up to the man and hit him several more times before leaving.

Police attempted to locate the man Arnold allegedly attacked, but investigators were unable to find him, the indictment states. “Once contact is made, additional charges will be filed,” police wrote.

This is not the first time Arnold has been charged. Last June he was arrested for Driving under the influence.

According to court documents, a preliminary hearing against Arnold is scheduled for September 24.