Police officer arrested on domestic battery charge
A Las Vegas police officer pushed his ex-girlfriend into a stucco wall and bit her nose early Sunday morning after arguing with her about custody of their child, stated a Henderson police report released Monday.
Roberto Angulo, 28, a five-year veteran with the Metropolitan Police Department, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. He was booked in the city's detention center and released late Sunday night after he posted bail of $3,137.
He was placed on paid administrative leave, said officer Jacinto Rivera, a spokesman with Las Vegas police.
Rivera said in general terms, if an officer faces a domestic battery allegation, personnel from the Office of Internal Affairs investigate. The internal investigation will then dictate what punishment, if any, the officer will face.
According to the report, Angulo's ex-girlfriend, Nicolette Harridge, called police at 2:24 a.m. Sunday and said Angulo had come over to her home, near Green Valley and Paseo Verde parkways, and pushed her to the ground and bit her nose. She also alleged that Angulo was intoxicated.
An officer said he observed small scratches on Harridge's back and slight redness to her nose.
Harridge told police that Angulo had at one point told her he was contemplating hurting himself, the report stated.
"She further advised that he had told her about a suicide letter he had written and it was all her fault due to court process involving their son and that he would eat a bullet."
Later Sunday morning, police received voluntary statements from Angulo. They interviewed him at a residence near Eastern Avenue and Horizon Ridge Parkway.
Angulo told police he was at a wedding reception the previous night, but that he did not feel any effects from the alcohol he consumed.
He denied getting violent with Harridge. He told police he had kissed her, including on the nose. The report stated a text from Harridge's cell phone to Angulo's cell phone read: "You really hurt me. I have scratches all over my back and my nose hurts."
The report said Angulo was vague with police when discussing what occurred with Harridge.
Police arrested Angulo on probable cause.
